Mother Mae Thelma Snead Hendley

02/08/1929 - 03/23/2020

Obituary For Mother Mae Thelma Snead Hendley

Mother Mae Thelma Hendley was the ninth of twelve children born to John Henry and Sarah Snead. She was born on February 8, 1929, in Tifton, GA.

She received her formative years of education in Tifton, GA, graduating from Richmond Industrial High School as the salutatorian of her class.

She was united in holy matrimony to Robert Hendley, Jr., on December 28, 1948. They were blessed with six children – Charlie, Jerome, Marie, Leon, Roosevelt and Robert.

Mother Hendley accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age. She joined Burkett Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Bartow, FL, under the leadership of the late Elder S. P. Kilpatrick in 1955. She later moved to Fort Pierce, FL. In 1964, she joined Greater Mt. Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church also under the pastorate of Elder Kilpatrick. When her husband, Elder R. J. Hendley, Jr., became pastor in 1966, she became a member of Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, FL.

Mother Hendley was a very faithful member of Greater Bethel until her demise. During her 54 years of service, the eloquent First Lady was a member of the Matrons Society, the Pastor’s Aide, the Mothers’ and Deaconess Board, the Travelers’ Club and the Church School. As a member of the East Florida District Primitive Baptist Association, she was President of the Ministers’ Wives/Widows, and a member of the Women’s Congress, the Church School, and many other auxiliaries. Nationally, she participated in the same auxiliaries, and in 2004 she ran for and won the coveted title of Queen for the Ministers’ Wives/Widows. Because of her love for children, she taught for many years at R. J. Hendley Child Care Center, and eventually became its Director.

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Sarah Snead; her husband, Elder R. J. Hendley, Jr.; sisters, Marie Williams and Ruby Crawford; brothers, John Lee Snead, Eddie B. Snead, Willie Snead, Ernest Snead, Roscoe Snead, and Leroy Snead.

Left to cherish her rich legacy are five sons, Elder Charlie (Gwendolyn) and Jerome (Dr. Pinkie) Hendley, Fort Pierce; Dr. Leon (Cassandra) and Elder Robert (LaJune) Hendley, Vero Beach; and Elder Roosevelt (Beverley) Hendley, Riviera Beach; one daughter, Minister Marie Hendley Robinson, Lake Park; one brother, Carl Snead, Newnan, GA; one sister, Sarah Davis, Melbourne, FL; 17 sorrowing grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends.

Public visitation for Mother Mae Hendley will take place on Friday, March 27, 2020 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Greater Mount Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, FL. Visitation will also convene on Sunday, March 29, 2020 beginning at 10:00am at the Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, FL. Home Going services will begin at 11:00am at Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, FL. Mother Mae Hendley will be entombed at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens in Palm Beach, FL.

Greater Mount Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church 2100 Avenue K Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church 1340 W 30th Street Riviera Beach, FL 33404

**In lieu of flowers, please make contributions and donations to:

RJ Hendley Christian Community School 2800 RJ Hendley Ave Riviera Beach, FL 33404



Guest Book

My thoughts & prayers are with you during this time of loss. Beverly Williams

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My Condolences to the Entire Hendley Family. May she RIH with the Lord. Lolita Pratt Tobusto

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My prayers are with the Hendley family as you say goodbye to Mother Hendley. Pinkie is my classmate and Jerome is her supportive husband that we consider a part of the Lincoln High School class of 1967. Geneva Hackley Westley

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To the entire Hendley family. We are so grateful to know you and have worshipped with you and continuing to do. While living in Palm Beach, my family remembers how Mo Mae T Hendley opened her doors to her home to us on several occasions after church for Sunday dinner. We will never forget her hospitality and ever loving kindness she showed during those times. She was genuinely a caring and loving person we are proud to call Mother as she showed toward us!!! - Joseph and Bonnie Anglin-Noel

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Our sincere condolences to the entire Hendley family during this time of mourning. Blessed are they that mourn;for they shall be comforted. Deacon Jerome and Deaconess Sandra Weatherspoon

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To the Hendley Family from the Community Primitive Baptist Church Family, May the many memories of you dear Mother give you some peace during this time of sorrow and for the days to come. For we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Blessings of love, peace and hope

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It is with a deep since of sorrow to learn of the death of Mother Hendley, Blannie and I are saddened that we could not be present for her homegoing celebration. There has been a Batts/Hendley family relationship for many years and Mother Hendley has been at the center of it. Prayers and Blessings to the family. Harold & Blannie.

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Praying for your family . Barbara Nickerson.

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My prayers go up for the entire family. I will miss her as well but she is safe in the arms of the almighty God. Queen Townsend

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Sending love and prayers to the Hendley Families in the loss of a beautiful and special person, Mother Mae Hendley! Love, Mother Genette Daniels and Dr. Sheila Jones ~ Bartow, Florida

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Sorry for the loss of your dear love one, my thoughts and prayers are with all. With deepest sympathy Dorothy Green

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My prayers are with you all during this time. May God continue to bless and strengthen you all. Mary (Red) Lee

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May the peace of God sustain you through this difficult time in the loss of your loved Mother. Philippians 4:7 Emily Broxton

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My deepest condolences to the entire Hendley family. My prayers are with you all. Mrs. Hendley was always such a beautiful person, inside and out. R.I.P. Sarah Lee-Robinson

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To the Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you now an always.Eloquent First Lady Mo. Hendley,was a servant of God, Mo. showed love to everyone especially the children. Rest Mo.Thomas family

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Our condolences to the Hendley family. Mother Hendley was a beautiful person. May find memories sustain you in the coming days. Aaron and Phyllis Adderley

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Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during these difficult time. May she RIP Emma Green And Family

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Stone Bros. Funeral Home and Chapel