Madeline B Mays

Madeline Blackwelder Mays passed away on Sept. 11, 2011. Her parents, the Rev. Locke Blackwelder, an Episcopal minister and Minnie Beaver Blackwelder, a homemaker, broke with six generations of family farming in Salisbury, N.C. to move to congregations elsewhere, and Madeline was born in Union, S.C. Her formative years in Griffin, Ga. produced in her the best of Southern charm and wisdom to speak ill of no one, to stress the positive in all situations, and to sagely advise and mentor many people. Her father strongly advocated education and she began with a BA from the U. of Georgia. She married Chevrolet dealer and later Zone Manager for GM, Joseph Acree, living in Birmingham, Ala., El Paso and Houston, Tx., and Coral Gables, Fl. where she obtained her MA in Education at the U. of Miami. After Joe's passing she taught Fourth Grade in Scottsdale, Az. teaching young children via praise and enthusiasm. She and Joe were friends with Lee Mays and his wife. After their spouses died, Madeline and Lee, who retired as the General Manager of Buick, married. They divided their time between Michigan and South Florida. When Lee died in 1993, Madeline continued their active social life with hundreds of friends across the country. Madeline cruised on the Radisson line, avidly golfed and played excellent bridge. She was an active member of Coral Ridge Country Club. She is survived by nephews Brent, Blake and Brion Blackwelder, stepdaughters Jane Mays Lyon and Suzanne Mays Richardson, grandnephews and nieces Matthew, Laura, Evelyn and Meredith Blackwelder, Katelin and Vincent Cannizzaro, and great grandnephews Vincent and Anthony Cannizzaro. In lieu of flowers contributions are welcomed to Friends of the Earth, 1100 Fifteenth St. NW, 11th Floor, Wash. D.C. 20005 attn. Brent Blackwelder. A memorial is set for Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 401 SE 15 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale. Arrangements by Fred Hunters Hollywood Memorial Garden Home.