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
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For Customer Service please call: 1-888-610-8262
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