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
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