The Acknowledgement In this time of bereavement, we will say God is in CONTROL. Keep praying for our family that God will get the glory from our lives. The family would like to acknowledge with deep gratitude the expressions of love and concern towards us. Thank you to all the family and friends for your prayers, loving support, contributions, flowers, cards, and gifts of love during this time of Mae O'Rita Whaley's promotion to GLORY!

When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room!

Why cry for a spirit set free!

Miss me a little - but not too long

And not with your head bowed low!

Remember the love that we once shared.

Miss me - But let me go!

For this is a journey we all must take, and all must go alone;

It's all a part of the Master's plan, a step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart

Go to the friends we know

Bury your sorrows in doing good deeds

Miss me - But let me go.

Known for Excellence. Trusted for Value.

1025 E. McMillan Street - Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 (513) 251-6200

Celebrating the Life of

Mae O'rita M. Whaley

October 30, 1941 - July 20, 2015

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Visitation: 1:00 p.m. - Service: 2:00 p.m.

Walker Funeral Home - North Avondale

3939 Reading Road

Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

Life's Reflection Mae O'Rita McAllister Whaley was born to Robert and Roberta

(nee Thomas) McAllister on October 30, 1941 in Forrest City,

Arkansas. One of nine children, Mae graduated at age sixteen

from Lincoln High School and with fifty dollars and a suitcase,

traveled off to Pilander Smith College. There, she met Glen

Wayne Whaley. They married in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1960.

While in Little Rock, Mae worked for a time as the first African

American receptionist at Federated Department Stores. At

Federated, she actually wrote an office handbook that was even

circulated company-wide. To Mae and Glen's union was born

Megale Aurelia Whaley in San Antonio, Texas and Glen

McAllister Whaley in Stuttgart, Germany. From Stuttgart, the

family was able to travel to other parts of Europe. Mae would

sometimes share memories of living with other boarders in the

house of Fraulein Zimmerman or of travel through Switzerland

and of seeing the Alps. Eventually, the family settled in

Cincinnati, where the last child, Alison McLean (James) was

born.

In Cincinnati, Mae completed her Bachelor's Degree at U.C. and

worked at the City's Health Department with her dear friend and

cousin, Victoria Wright Holloway. While working full-time, and

as a wife and mother of three school-aged children, Mae

commuted twice a week to Columbus for graduate school. She

earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Ohio State

University in 1975. At about this time, Mae began working for

the American Red Cross where she filled multiple roles over her

distinguished career in the Cincinnati, Detroit, Atlanta, and

Dayton Chapters. She also performed as key personnel on

several natural disasters around the country. Within Red Cross,

Mae met dear friends whom she maintained contact with

throughout her life. Mae retired from the American Red Cross in

2001.

In Retirement, Mae always exclaimed that she stayed so busy she

didn't know how she'd had time to work! She grew into a

professional amateur of antique jewelry and glass and began a

business in the buying and selling of these. She spent many of

her days scouring thrift stores with her loop lens in hand. Later,

there was much work to be done in photographing her items and

packaging them up for shipping. Mae had two flea market

booths and an on-line store.

Mae M. Whaley was a phenomenal and dynamic woman! She

exuded grace, style and professionalism. She handled business,

but didn't mince words. She had a kind and loving heart and

touched the lives of many. She was dearly loved and will be

sorely missed.

Preceding Mae O'Rita in death were her parents Robert and

Roberta, her sisters, Bernice, Barbara, Roberta, and Lula Pearl;

her brothers, Robert Jr., Clinton, and Lloyd; her son, Glen

McAllister Whaley.

She is survived by her brother, Melvin McAllister (Betty), her

daughters, Megale Whaley and Alison McLean (James);

grandsons, Jordan Whaley-Watson and Maxwell and Austin

Hassell, James' children, J. and Vaughn McLean, and a host of

beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Order of Service Prayer.................................................................................................... Scripture........................................Isaiah 43:1-3 - James E. McLean Poem.- "You Learn" ...................................read by Megale Whaley Moments of Reflection ........................................(3 minutes please) Obituary.......................................................................(Read Silently) Eulogy.............................................................Rev. Dr. Bryan Walker Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi........................Stepanie Williams-Hill Benediction.....................................................Rev. Dr. Bryan Walker