Our dearest Earlean Mayes, a good and faithful servant of God, passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on January 12, 2022. Born to the late Reverend Will Henry and Mary “Maggie” Childrey on August 14, 1921, in Montgomery, Alabama, Earlean was the second youngest of eleven children. Growing up on the family’s farm, she was no stranger to hard work, caring for others, and offering a helping hand. Her strong work ethic also crossed over into education. Earlean often told us that she loved school and would walk miles just to get there. These early life experiences developed the foundational attributes she’s best known for by the people who love her immensely.

In fact, it was hard not to love her once you’ve met her, because you would always find her in good spirits. Never one to complain, she was consistently helping her mother cook, learning how to sew, or serving the community at her father’s church.  Growing up as a preacher’s kid had enabled her to learn about and develop an intimate relationship with God at an early age. She and her sisters were often tasked with cooking and passing out meals to the multicultural congregation. She freely offered her talents however she could: she cleaned the church, washed people’s clothes, and would even stitch them up if they needed a quick sew! Earlean had a sweet, servant spirit and these were the stories she most revered in her final years.

Married in her twenties, she birthed Alice Faye Young and Derick Keith Mayes thereafter. Unexpectedly widowed, the mother of two was determined to give her children a full life filled with love, faith, and family. Earlean shared an unbreakable bond with her sisters and brothers who were her best friends. Her children were always surrounded by their uncles, aunts, and cousins. Always the go-getter, Earlean had an entrepreneurial mindset and her children were her driving force. She sold Avon products and was very good at closing the deal! Skilled at communication and full of perseverance, she made sure she provided for her family, and her children wanted for nothing. They both grew up not focused on material objects, but on the abundance of respect, affection, guidance, support, and love.

Some of her favorite hobbies included cooking, gardening, sewing, reading the bible, and collecting pictures. She knew God’s Word by heart and would often witness about Him to anyone who would listen. She loved cooking meals for her grandchildren and would pick fresh peaches from her peach tree to make the best peach pie. Earlean served us mountains of food whenever we visited for the summer and she dared us to leave the table without consuming it all! We’d often tap out, but she didn’t mind. She loved feeding people and would even give our scraps to the neighborhood dogs. Spending time with her grandchildren gave her a great sense of joy. She loved to joke with them and say, “When am I gonna get some cake?” or “Where’s your little girlfriend or boyfriend? I know you got one!” followed by one of her all-out belly laughs. That was code for, when are you getting married? Marriage was important to her and she cherished family. She had a great laugh, matched with a smile that would light a room.

Although the sun has set on her time here with us on Earth, Earlean is finally reunited in heaven with her siblings, Chester, Starling, James, Thomas, Ora Lee, Katie Lou, Ethel, Ruth, Era, and John Childrey, as well as her parents, Reverend Will Henry and Mary “Maggie” Childrey.

The life lessons and memories shared will live on through Earlean’s descendants. Her faithfulness to God was rewarded with 100 amazing years of a life worth living. She lived to see her children’s, children’s children! She is survived by Alice Faye Young (Norman Young), Derick Keith Mayes Sr. (Janice L. Mayes), Regina F. Young, Demetrius Young Sr., Delicia M. Mayes, Donell Young, Christopher Scott, Derick K. Mayes Jr., Eric Mayes, Felicia Mayes, Delvonte Young, DeAjhia Young, Daysha Watson, Demetrius Young Jr., Kaleb Strong, Emmanuel Young, Elijah Young, Adrian Smith, Tayviyon Stover, Eric Mayes Jr., Nehemiah Mayes, Aria Mayes. Yisreal Young, Elisha Young, A’merrah Kellom, Xavier Isaiah and a host of other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Earlean would love to leave you with her favorite truth,

 “God can move a mountain!”