Willie Mary “Mae” Evans

Mother Willie Mae Evans was born in Talbotton, Georgia, on July 5, 1937, to the late Willie Battle and Martha Louise Battle. Mae joined Shady Grove Baptist Church at an early age under the leadership of Reverend J.S. Streets. After high school, Mae moved to Columbus and joined the Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend J.C. Harris and sung in the choir until moving back to Talbotton, late in the 1960s. After she moved back to Talbotton, Mae became a devoted member of the Shady Grove Baptist Church family. She served on many committees at Shady Grove and was a loyal member of the Kitchen Committee, Usher Board, and the Shady Grove Inspirational Choir. She served on the Usher Board for over thirty years, and was also an angelic voice of the choir, where she sung as one of the oldest members until her health prevented her from standing. Through pure devotion, she continued to sing only from the pews. Mae was deeply rooted in family values and she was the consummate definition of a family woman! After high school, Mae knew she wanted to start her family. She married and had a beautiful daughter, Martha Jones, who cared for her with unwavering love until her last hour. She remained a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church until God called her home on Mother’s Day. It was only fitting a lady so special would leave us with a day of remembrance of her on Mother’s Day!
After working over thirty years, Mae retired and focused on raising her family. Her hobbies included: fishing, dancing, singing, watching the Steve Harvey Show, basketball, and baseball. She was a wise woman with a kind and funny word to share with all, she had a natural light that shined on all she encountered. Her natural ability to brighten your day with only a slight smile and a joke was uncanny. She had jokes and a wit about her that was unmatched! Today, we remember Mae’s smile, her kind words, and her full of life spirit that would put anyone in their place.
She was a woman of many talents. Mae’s light will continue to live on in each life that she touched. Today we remember, not how she died, but how she lived. Not what she gained, but all that she would give, and anyone who knew her, knew that Mae would give her last to others. Mae was an unselfish woman, always putting the needs of others before her own. Until her last day, Mae was a constant pillar of her community!
Mae was preceded in death by her handsome husband, Mack Evans, Jr.; dear mother, Martha Louise Battle; father, Willie Battle; four sisters, Ms. Glenda Battle, Mrs. Kitty Andrews, Mrs. Shirley Carter, and Ms. Annie Kate Battle; one brother, Thomas Battle, Sr.; and grandparents, Lucy “Lou” Couch and Vaughn Lamar.
She was survived by: her loving child, Mrs. Martha “Coozie” Jones (Willie); four grandchildren, Kashia Jones, Keshia Jones, Cedric Owens, and Kizzy Blakeney; four children whom she raised as her own, Mr. Thomas Battle, Jr., Mr. Anthony Battle, Mrs. Bethony (Mark) Battle-Payne, and Mrs. Keista Battle-Brock (Sean); and three godchildren, Gloria Willis, Billie Hardnett, and Theresa Walters.
She also leaves to cherish her memories and legacy: two sisters, Mrs. Everlena Edge and Mrs. Mary Sue Berry, of Chicago; two brothers, Mr. John Henry Battle, Sr., and Mr. Richard Matthew; beloved and oldest cousin, Lucille Trice; extended family, Mrs. Alline Jones and family, Mr. Emory Carter and family, and the Raines and Kimbrough families; special friends, Mrs. Sally Marshall, Mrs. Shirley Marshall, Mrs. Mattie Lamar, Mrs. Louise Trice, Mrs. Edna Marshall, Mrs. Cynthia Epps, Mrs. Harriet Edge, Mrs. Willie Ree Little, Mrs. Quincy Sue Edge, Larry Edge, and her buddy, Quan Campbell; two devoted nurses, Mrs. Barbara Fairfield and Sonya Stinson, both of Talbotton, GA; and a host of several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and of cousins. Final Care provided by the Licensed Funeral Care Providers at McCoy Funeral Home 127 W. Second Street Manchester,GA 31816.

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