Mae Lea Patrick went home to Heaven on March 20, 2021. Following a quote from the Reverend Billy Graham, she often said she was just traveling through this world. She was aged 100, and formerly lived in Escatawpa but passed away peacefully at home in Ocean Springs surrounded by her family. She was born on May 19, 1920, in Richton, MS. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Stinson and Lee Stinson, who was a train engineer. She had eleven siblings and loved them dearly. She married Joseph Green Patrick at age 17 on May 15, 1937 in Richton, and they moved to Pascagoula, MS, where Joe got a job at Ingalls Shipbuilding. During that time, Mae Lea was a wife, mother, and homemaker. Together, Mae Lea and Joe had 6 children: Joseph Harold, Jerry, Linda, Shirley, Sue, and Eddie. She says one of her fondest memories was hearing the first cry of each of her six children when each was born. She said that was when she knew that they were okay. Mae Lea not only had 6 children, but was also MaMaw Mae to 22 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren. She was a founding member of Clark Bayou Assembly of God Church where she also taught Sunday School for many years. The Fellowship Hall is named in her honor. Mae Lea was a powerful prayer warrior lifting up anyone in need and believed whole-heartedly in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She always had a strong faith and there are those that have said she had a hotline to Heaven when she prayed. Her prayers always brought great comfort. Even in complete quarantine for 9 months in River Chase Village, a long-term care home where elders need prayers, she immediately pulled scripture from her heart and prayed for others. That was her spirit. She shared His Word with and touched so many lives in her nearly 101 years. In fact, her favorite book was the Bible. She read it many times in her century-plus of life. Even when she could no longer see well enough to read herself, she enjoyed devotion and having scripture read to her.
Mae Lea was a living, breathing example of Christ's teaching. She was a true masterpiece of His workmanship and such a beautiful symbol to us all of how to walk with Him. Ephesians 2:10. She lived independently (with some assistance of family members) until the age of 98, cooking and sharing Sunday dinners with family and friends, not just on holidays, but every Sunday. Anyone who was hungry was welcome at her table. Whether people were actual family or not, they became part of her family whenever they needed. Feeding others was one of the many ways that she showed her love to others. But, the bigger part of "feeding others" for Mae Lea was not just providing food but feeding the soul with the Holy Spirit not only through her exceptional cooking but her example of love coupled with a side of prayer and scripture. All who experienced her love left her better than they came as a result. She was the most beautiful image of the fruits of the spirit—Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meekness, and Temperance. Galatians 5:22-23. She was a strong lady even surviving COVID 19 and double pneumonia in July of 2020 at 100 years old. She can truly say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous. Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
As the matriarch of our family, she will be sorely missed. But, her legacy lives in each of us who knew her forever. And, we can all rejoice knowing she made it home to be with the Lord whom she loved so much.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Elizabeth Stinson; her husband, Joe Patrick; her son, Joseph Harold Patrick, Sr., and her daughter, Sue Ellen Patrick Henderson; sisters, Willy Bell Stinson Walley, Gertrude Carter, Emma Bozied, Ruth Gardner, Ruby Odom, Mary Clark, and Mary Marigliano; brothers, Wayne Stinson and Lewis Stinson. She is
survived by her children, Jerry (Barbara) Patrick, Linda Scivicque, Shirley (Terry) Schmitz, and Eddie (Shirley) Patrick; grandchildren, Marie (Ben) Mullen, Sherry (Wyatt) Gerald, Tim (Ginger) Prine, Liza Patrick (David Roberts), C. J. (Ted) Bennett, Joey (Kim Legendre) Patrick,
Richard (Andrea) Patrick, Chris (Donna) Vaughn), Brent Vaughn, Lance Vaughn, Kathleen (Jamie) Kirnie, Terry Schmitz, Jr., Bryan (Amy) Busby, Amanda (Damian) Bond, Cassie (Brian) Clark, Matthew (Ingrid) Patrick, Amy (Clay) Luton, Brecken (Brandon) Winslow, Jennifer Rollins, Chris Cockrell, Wesley Cockrell; sister, Dorothy Jay; brother, Ralph (Marcelle) Stinson;
36 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; and, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would also like to especially thank the administration and staff at River Chase Village for their exceptional and faithful care of MaMaw Mae in the last 2 years of her life while she resided there. Additionally, the family will be forever grateful to the team at Notre Dame Hospice, and in particular Christine Wallace, Tammy Johnson, Terrance Maillho, Cindy Ward, and Tom Battle, all of whom so compassionately gave MaMaw Mae and those who loved her dearly such peace and comfort as took the final walk of her journey home. Lastly, the family would like to thank David DiPetrillo, a great friend who steadfastly gave his support to our family assisting with MaMaw Mae's care daily.
Because MaMaw Mae spent most of her life feeding and providing a home to friends, family and to anyone in need, she chose Meals on Wheels as her charity of choice instead of gifts for her 100th birthday. We know she would want to continue that giving, and in lieu of flowers, you are invited to honor her by helping others by donating in her honor and memory to Meals on Wheels which provides meals to shut ins, especially the elderly. To make a donation to Meals on Wheels, you may visit its website at https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org , and click on the donate button.
The Mae Lea Patrick Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, May 8, at 11 am, at Clark Bayou Assembly of God Church, 12200 Highway 613, Escatawpa, MS, 39567, followed by lunch in the Mae Lea Patrick Fellowship Hall.