Mae Chin Kin

Mae entered into eternal rest on February 27, 2021 in Houston, TX after surviving a stroke two days earlier. She was born on February 13, 1933 in San Antonio, TX, sixth of nine children, and recently celebrated her 88th birthday with family.

She grew up in an apartment above the June Lee Cake restaurant, which her parents ran. That building remains a restaurant, now part of the San Antonio El Mercado, a famous tourist stop and quinceañera event site. She graduated from Lanier High School in San Antonio where she served as Student Council President. She then earned a B.S. in Education from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX. Her path to higher education was accomplished with the generosity of her older brother, Jack Chin, who sent money home for her to attend college. Mae taught Elementary school for 33 years in the Houston Independent School District, mainly at Crawford Elementary. She was well known for incentivizing her inner city students to raise or improve their letter grade and maintain good conduct. By showing her students they could improve themselves at any level; she rewarded the deserving students with a pool party in her home at the end of the school year. Those parties are a memorable event with students returning years later to say hello well into adulthood. Mae also opened her house for so many other occasions over the years: hosting a Denton church youth group; her out of town family, friends, friends’ children and grandchildren; those coming to Houston’s Astroworld; numerous holidays; and family weddings. One of her proudest life achievements was the provision of tuition and board for a college education for all 5 of her children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 7 siblings, and son-in-law Phillip Rogers. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Wing Kin of Houston, TX, older sister Mary Wu of Houston, TX, her 5 children Debra Rogers of Longview, TX, Jonathan Dwayne Kin (wife Jill) of Navasota, TX, Lisa Lawrence (husband Mathew) of Kingwood, TX, Alan Kin of Lakeland, FL, and Melanie Kin of Dickinson, TX, 2 grandchildren Elizabeth Melvin (husband Scott) of Carmel, IN and Michelle Lawrence of Dallas, TX, and 2 great grandchildren Corrine Melvin and Blaise Melvin both of Carmel, IN, and countless nieces and nephews.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the memorial service will be livestreamed and virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon below.

Memorial service will be on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm in The Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mae's memory to the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice.