Mrs. Maurrine Eatman Mays Obituary (1922 - 2020)

Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, Inc. announces with the deepest sympathy the transition of Mrs. Maurrine Eatman Mays. COMMUNITY VIEWING: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 from 1:00 P. M. until 4:00 P.M. FLOWER DELIVERY HOUR: Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. GRAVESIDE SERVICES: Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. Cedar Oak Memorial Park, 1401 Mimosa Park Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 35405 Services will be in compliance with the State of Alabama mandate and the City of Tuscaloosa. Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines. All attending must wear a mask. Services Entrusted to Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home, Inc. under the direction of Licensed Fun eral Director, Danny R. Steele A Tribute to Maurrine Eatman Mays Maurrine E. Mays transitioned on October 7, 2020, after a brief illness. She was born on September 12, 1922, to Curtis Mitchell Eatman Houser and Norman Eatman in Greene County, AL. She is preceded in death by husband, Walter Mays, father, Norman Eatman; stepfather, George Dewey Houser; mother, Curtis Mitchell Houser; and sister Juanita Eatman Thompson. Maurrine accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Reverend I. B. Points at St Paul Methodist Church and remained a faithful member until death. Her stewardship included teaching Sunday School, directing Vacation Bible School, and holding a variety of offices in the church. She was the first and only African-American elected as President of the Tuscaloosa District of United Methodist Women. She is respected on the Local, Regional, and National level because of her service in this position. Although she held a variety of offices in the church, the Sunday School was closest to her heart. Maurrine is a product of the Tuscaloosa City School System. She graduated from Stillman Junior College, received her Bachelor's degree from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical College, attended Cornell University, and received her Master's degree from Tuskegee Institute. She was a dedicated Home Economics teacher in the Tuscaloosa County School System for more than 30 years. Her teaching career began in Athens, Alabama, and transitioned to Dry Creek in Fosters, Alabama. She taught at Coaling High, Botler High, and retired from Hillcrest High School. Maurrine was a gregarious, gracious energizer who remained actively engaged in community and state organizations and events. She was a member of the Stillman College and Alabama A&M University Alumni Associations, Tuscaloosa Civitan Club, Nightingale Social Club (Founding Member), McDonald Hughes Center Exercise and Dance Classes, St. Paul UMC and Beulah Baptist Bible Study Groups, Alabama Family Tree (Foster/Murray)Reunion Club, Tuscaloosa Education Retirees Association, as well as many other local and state organizations and activities. In addition, she was a loyal supporter and faithful attendee of the Magic City Classic, Stillman College events, and Botler High School Class Reunions. She leaves to treasure her memory: a devoted nephew, Grover C Thompson, Jr. (Betty); six nieces and nephews; Phillip Thompson, Ronald Thompson, Jr., Rhenita Thompson, Rhonda Thompson, Brooke Brown, and Joan Ann Humphrey. Two grand nieces; Phyllis Moore and Robin Honore; devoted cousins, Bettye Jo Colbert, Elizabeth Annette Bell, and Julia I. Adams, loyal God Sisters; Tommie Foster Banks and Dorothy Odell Foster; special friends; Carrie Shepherd Hammie, Elizabeth Winn, Emma Shepherd, Bernice and Edward German, Sr, Curtis Cook, Dr. Evelyn Gunn, Wilma Isaac, and a host of cousins and friends. Mrs. Mays remained active, exercising, traveling, and tending her flower garden. She could be seen on many occasions going to the store, walking on MLK Blvd. She continued her love of her neighbors and church showing compassion until the Lord called her home.