Willie Mae Shields

Surrounded by her loving family, Willie Mae Shields, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 24, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her wonderful spirit will be remembered by family and friends alike.

Willie Mae was born September 22, 1924 to Callie and Jack Horne in Butler Alabama. She spent her childhood years growing up with her younger brother and only sibling, Fred, before moving to Mobile Alabama to attend college. On October 14, 1950 she married Willie Shields of Louisville, Mississippi and started her family of 4 children beginning in August 1951. Willie Mae was a military wife which enabled her to live abroad before finally settling on the Monterey Peninsula where she lived in Seaside for 30 years and retired as a nurse from the Salinas County Hospital after 20 years of service. After retirement Willie Mae and her husband moved to Prunedale, California in 1986. Willie Mae had a special liking to cooking. One could always find Willie Mae busy in the kitchen preparing dishes from all parts of the globe once lived or visited to include Germany, Japan, Philippines to name a few, not forgetting some good ole southern cooking, all for family and friends.

Willie Mae is survived by her husband Willie of 62 years marriage, daughter Geneva and her husband Gilbert Fletcher, son Franklin his wife Cynthia and their child Brett, son Kenlin his wife Nanette and their children, Aerymus, Jazzlyn and Kenlin’s oldest daughter Celestria. Proceeding Willie Mae in death is her youngest son Willie Erving and grandson Ronnie Calhoun.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Bayside Community Mortuary, 1610 Noche Buena Street, Seaside California. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or charity of your choice.