Mary Jane Oldham

Mary Jane Oldham, age 92 of Midfield, AL went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Regency Retirement Village, Birmingham, AL. Mary Oldham was born on August 23, 1933 to the late Johnnie Layton and Ninear “Nina” Hamilton Layton in Northport, AL. She graduated in 1951 from Tuscaloosa County Training School in Northport, AL. Mary attended college at Stillman in Tuscaloosa for two years majoring in Special Education. She also attended six months of trade school in Chicago and in Alabama. In December of 1954, Mary Jane married her childhood sweetheart, Samuel Oldham of Bessemer, AL and to this union two children were born, Sabrina and Cletus. They moved to Chicago, IL in October of 1956. Her first job was at Illinois Masonic Hospital where she worked as a clerk typist in the admissions department. Mary Jane retired as a secretary from Continental Assurance Company (CNA) in 1994 after 17 years of service. After retirement they moved to Midfield in 1996.

She confessed Christ at an early age at Porter St. Paul CME Church in Northport, AL. She was a member of Miles Chapel CME in Fairfield, AL where she served in the Mission Society. Mary loved to read, attend plays and concerts. Sis. Oldham loved attending church before caregiving for her husband and her own health issues prevented her from regular attendance. She was a very social person and loved to hold conversations with anyone she met. She loved corresponding with family and friends through cards and letters. Mary Jane Oldham was a mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and neighbor.

She leaves to cherish her memory:

Daughter, Sabrina L. Oldham, Birmingham, AL; son, Cletus Oldham, Flint, MI; grandson, Johnathan Oldham, Flint, MI; brother, John V. Layton, Los Angeles, CA, step sisters, Catherine Hill and Jessie Williams, nieces, Harriet (Ralph) Douglas, Saginaw, MI; Shontay Oldham Luna, Chicago, IL nephew, Darrel (Tara) Williams, Union City, GA; and a special neighbor, Stella Harris, special friend, Lynn Lockhart and a host of other relatives and friends along with her Miles Chapel Church family and Triumph the Church & Kingdom of God in Christ, Band #6 and Band #25 Church families.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Samuel Oldham, her parents, stepmother, Mattie Layton, a brother-in-law James Edward (Sarah) Oldham, grandsons, Larry D. Richardson, Jr.; Matthew Oldham and sister Rosetta (Alexander) Williams, nephews, Richard Oldham, Charles Oldham, Tommy Oldham, James Oldham, Jr

A special thank you to:

Triumph The Church & Kingdom of God in Christ Band #25, Prayer Services on Wednesday night, Bible study on Thursday night with Dr. Christopher L. Ruffin and Hour of Power Purpose & Life Ministry with Evangelist Cheryl Threets Prayer Service at noon, UAB Medical West Team, ProHealth Home Health & Hospice Team, Daniesha Lewis and the Bridging the Gaps Home Care and Regency Retirement Village Staff.