Mae M. Cohens

Obituary For Mae M. Cohens

Mae Murry Cohens was born on September 29, 1933, in Eads, TN to the late Charlie and Sadie Brooks.

Mae professed her love for Christ as her personal Savior at an early age at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, under the late Rev. C.L. Cole. She later united with Mt, Pleasant Baptist Church, with Pastor T. M. Henderson and Praise of Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor B.C. Brooks. She could always be found professing her faith, serving her church, and working in the Music Ministry. She founded the first POZ Angel Choir in 1981. Mae later united with the Springdale Baptist Church under the late Dr. Lee R. Brown, where she served in the Music, Sisterhood, and Hospitality Ministries. She was a faithful giver and loved to fellowship until her health failed.

Mae often talked about dropping out of high school to help her mother take care of her siblings, but this didn’t deter her drive for hard work and success. Mae’s professional career included working for Memphis City Schools at Brookmeade and retiring from Brownsville Road Elementary School in 1994. She immediately returned to work for the Rozen family as a housekeeper until “she got tired of going”!

Mae had many gifts and talents and traveled all over this country proclaiming there was only “One God, One Faith, and One Baptism”. Mae was a strong soprano with the Memphis Christian Fellowship Choir under the leadership of the late Decatur Williams. She was also a member for over 50 years of the James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America, Memphis Chapter, where 4 generations of her family served. She served as the Secretary of the Memphis Chapter until her health failed as well. Mae also loved to travel and was a member of the Vegas Club. She was an avid member of the Albany Street Block Club and looked forward to guiding people to the house with the star in the tree at Christmas time.

“Mama Mae “had a love language that was spread all over this country. People from all over had the chance to experience the heart and soul of her kitchen! She loved to cook and had been cooking since the age of five for her family. She served many dignitaries, Pastors, leaders, students, as well as celebrities with her gifted hands. She was also a Kitchen Hairdresser who had many clients. She had growing hands.

Mae was married to the late Henry Cohens, Jr. She was adored by her family and was affectionately called “Big Red” by her brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughters Jeanette and Beverly, sister Maurine, and 10 brothers. Although she loved her family and friends, she had a prepared place and transitioned peacefully on Friday February 21, 2025.

Mae leaves to celebrate her life and forever cherish her memories her daughter Althea, and sons Felix and Clarence (Clarie) of Dallas, Texas; her sister SamEtta Bland, and brothers, Leonard Brooks (Estelle) and Pastor L.B. Brooks(Brenda); four sisters-in-law, eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, The Rozen family, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10:00am-10:45am with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00am both will be held at Golden Gate Cathedral 3240 James Rd, Memphis, TN 38128

Internment will be Monday, March 3, 2025 9:00am in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125