Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home | Tuscaloosa, AL

Obituary For Mrs. Maurrine Eatman Mays

Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, Inc. announces with the deepest sympathy the transition of Mrs. Maurrine Eatman Mays.

COMMUNITY VIEWING: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 from 1:00 P. M. until 4:00 P.M.

FLOWER DELIVERY HOUR: Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES: Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. Cedar Oak Memorial Park, 1401 Mimosa Park Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 35405

Services will be in compliance with the State of Alabama mandate and the City of Tuscaloosa. Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines. All attending must wear a mask. Services Entrusted to Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, Inc. under the direction of Licensed Fun eral Director, Danny R. Steele A Tribute to Maurrine Eatman Mays

Maurrine E. Mays transitioned on October 7, 2020, after a brief illness. She was born on September 12, 1922, to Curtis Mitchell Eatman Houser and Norman Eatman in Greene County, AL. She is preceded in death by husband, Walter Mays, father, Norman Eatman; stepfather, George Dewey Houser; mother, Curtis Mitchell Houser; and sister Juanita Eatman Thompson.

Maurrine accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Reverend I. B. Points at St Paul Methodist Church and remained a faithful member until death. Her stewardship included teaching Sunday School, directing Vacation Bible School, and holding a variety of offices in the church. She was the first and only African-American elected as President of the Tuscaloosa District of United Methodist Women. She is respected on the Local, Regional, and National level because of her service in this position. Although she held a variety of offices in the church, the Sunday School was closest to her heart.

Maurrine is a product of the Tuscaloosa City School System. She graduated from Stillman Junior College, received her Bachelor’s degree from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical College, attended Cornell University, and received her Master’s degree from Tuskegee Institute. She was a dedicated Home Economics teacher in the Tuscaloosa County School System for more than 30 years. Her teaching career began in Athens, Alabama, and transitioned to Dry Creek in Fosters, Alabama. She taught at Coaling High, Botler High, and retired from Hillcrest High School.

Maurrine was a gregarious, gracious energizer who remained actively engaged in community and state organizations and events. She was a member of the Stillman College and Alabama A&M University Alumni Associations, Tuscaloosa Civitan Club, Nightingale Social Club (Founding Member), McDonald Hughes Center Exercise and Dance Classes, St. Paul UMC and Beulah Baptist Bible Study Groups, Alabama Family Tree (Foster/Murray)Reunion Club, Tuscaloosa Education Retirees Association, as well as many other local and state organizations and activities. In addition, she was a loyal supporter and faithful attendee of the Magic City Classic, Stillman College events, and Botler High School Class Reunions.

She leaves to treasure her memory: a devoted nephew, Grover C Thompson, Jr. (Betty); six nieces and nephews; Phillip Thompson, Ronald Thompson, Jr., Rhenita Thompson, Rhonda Thompson, Brooke Brown, and Joan Ann Humphrey. Two grand nieces; Phyllis Moore and Robin Honore; devoted cousins, Bettye Jo Colbert, Elizabeth Annette Bell, and Julia I. Adams, loyal God Sisters; Tommie Foster Banks and Dorothy Odell Foster; special friends; Carrie Shepherd Hammie, Elizabeth Winn, Emma Shepherd, Bernice and Edward German, Sr, Curtis Cook, Dr. Evelyn Gunn, Wilma Isaac, and a host of cousins and friends.

Mrs. Mays remained active, exercising, traveling, and tending her flower garden. She could be seen on many occasions going to the store, walking on MLK Blvd. She continued her love of her neighbors and church showing compassion until the Lord called her home.

Guest Book

Aunt Maureen you came to Detroit for my wedding and you gave me the best advice and that was always to always follow my heart I thank you for that advice he serves me to this day love and missing you wish I had known how sick you were the last time you spoke to mom. But that was your way love your great niece Sabrena(daughter of Vivian Mays Smith.

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I remember your trip to Las Vegas to see me and the family on the bus you said you thought you we a different country the bus stopped and speaking all that languages and animals with them no more bus for you ,your next visit would be on a plane we laugh for days about that. I just found out about you it hurt so bad ,we just talked the last of October planning to call you later but Howard went in the hospital and I missed put so sorry. May God keep you until we meet again. Your niece Vivian Mays Smith Love you and miss you.

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Mrs. Mays was my teacher at Coaling HIGH School I was always in touch with Mrs. Mays. Mrs. Mays was a great teacher and after high school we were close friends. Mrs. Mays was a beautiful person who loved her family and friends. I will turely miss her. We all loved her. I believe she got her wings. Love Dorothy W. Jefferson

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Mrs. Mays was my Home Economics teacher at Boteler Jr. High. She was a loving and kind person as well as a good teacher. Take your rest

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Mrs. Mays was my High School English teacher At Coaling High In 1961. She was a wonderful person and teacher. We correspond over the years even after I retired to the state of Florida. I did so enjoyed hearing from her. She was in a class all by herself! She will be missed Comfort and Peace to the Family. God Bless You All Lee Ethel SmithSteedley

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Some people are truly larger than life. Mrs. Mays is one of them. She was my very first Sunday School teacher and when I became a "senior" she was a fellow line dancer in the Hughes Center's old folks exercise program. When I last saw her, she was as alert as she was when I was that pre-schooler in her Sunday School class. What she added to my life will be with me always. I am so blessed to have had her as a fellow traveler. . . Sue Thompson

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Mrs. Mayes was the Sunday School teacher who taught and inspired not only in Sunday School but in every aspect of her life. I'm sure she's been greeted by Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Miller and all members than have also transitioned. Thank you Mrs. Mayes for so many to love God and love our neighbors

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Mrs. Mayes was the Sunday School teacher who taught and inspired not only in Sunday School but in every aspect of her life. I'm sure she's been greeted by Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Miller and all members than have also transitioned. Thank you Mrs. Mayes for so many to love God and love our neighbors

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To the Family, Knowing how much your aunt meant to you and so many others, we wish you strength for today, tomorrow and in the days ahead. Your friend and East End neighbor, Fred and Bessie German

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May you RIP Mrs. Mays, I will truly miss you at exercise class. We all enjoyed you, thank you for being my friend. I LOVE YOU. Phyllis Williams

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With love, adoration, respect, mentorship and so many more descriptive adjectives, my family pays tribute to a legend from St. Paul United Methodist Church. She touched the lives of so many people in so many ways. Job well done as a servant leader. We thank you for being an integral part of our lives. Take your well deserved rest. We loved you, but God Loves you best. Essie Colvin, Gwendolyn Pascal and Betty Crawford Ives

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Our long time St. Paul United Methodist Church member and our neighborhood friend. May she RIParadise Love Mrs. Mays....Evelyn Brown Wilder

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A life well remembered for so many services: Sunday School teaching; life-living mothering guidance; committed mentor/supporter; the best humorist of the day; semstress whose work outshined any "store bought" garment. Now joining Fannie Mae and the best of St. Paul--RIP With Love and Deep Admiration. Joyce Denetta Brown Harris

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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.

- Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home | Tuscaloosa, AL