Mrs. Willie Mae Edwards was born in Dublin, Georgia on May 13, 1918 to Willie and Lovie Whipple. She was one of nine children.

Willie Mae went to public school in Dublin, GA but unfortunately dropped out at a young age to assist her father raise her younger siblings when her mother passed away.

As a young child, “Mother” or “Granny” as she was affectionately known by her family, gave her life to the Lord, worshiping and serving at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Dublin until she moved to Camden, NJ in 1968. Willie Mae never stopped worshiping the Lord, soon after moving to Camden she became a member of Ferry Avenue United Methodist Church and eventually became President of the Usher’s Board and a Communion Steward in which she loved assisting with setting up for communion and wherever else she was needed including the numerous outreach programs, lending helping hands & supporting the food bank.

Willie Mae loved the LORD and remained a member at Ferry Avenue United Methodist Church until she departed this life.

Willie Mae was employed at Benson’s Bakery in Dublin for over 20 years. She also worked as a private duty domestic worker in Dublin, GA then transfered to New Jersey once she moved, working until she was 80 years old!!

Willie Mae, loved to stay active, while working, she served as a volunteer for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Haddon Avenue in Camden where she completed a major milestone in her life, receiving her G.E.D. at the age of 60.

Some of Willie Mae’s pastimes included, working the poll during the elections ,where she interacted with people within the city. Also, she was invited to ride the floats for many years by various Mayors of Camden, NJ. Willie Mae attended Wiley Christian Adult Center, Monday - Friday, where she enjoyed talking to people and participating in the arts and craft activities.

Furthermore, she will be greatly missed by her Pennsauken community, where she resided with her son for 8 years.

In 1940, Willie Mae married Theo Stanley Sr. and to this union eight sons were born; Robert Earl Kellam, Theo Stanley Jr., Willie Stanley (deceased), Albert Stanley Sr. (deceased), Fred Stanley, Leroy Stanley, James Stanley Sr., and Tommy Stanley.

Willie Mae later remarried the late Jolly Edwards.

She loved her family, and there wasn’t anything in the world that she wouldn’t do to please them; they just lit up her world.

On Saturday, June 20, 2015 GOD stretched out his arm and called our angel home.

Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memories her twin sister, Lillie Mae Ashley of Cleveland, Ohio, her children Robert Earl Kellam, Theo Stanley Jr., Fred Stanley, Leroy Stanley, James Stanley Sr., and Tommy Stanley, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, & great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, daughter-in-laws and a host of friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willie Mae Edwards (Whipple), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.