Aunt Maye, Thank you so much for the beautiful example you have given everyone who knew or ever met you. So many wonderful memories! My Dad loved you so much! He always told the story of how much fun it was to stay with you and Uncle James. He loved that you didn't make him take a bath and the two of you would just rinse off your feet in the tub together. He felt like he was really getting away with a lot. I will always remember how happy it made you to have the whole family at your house eating an amazing southern meal. You were definitely the one that brought everyone together. I am so sorry that I took for granted your wonderful story telling. So many amazing stories about my Dad, your sister Ruby, and many others. I know it was such a beautiful homecoming! We miss you but know we will all be together again sitting around the Lord's table. What a glorious day that will be!

Aunt Maye:

When I joined the family 20 years ago, you opened your home and your heart to me. I learned very quickly what a special person you were from Wayne, Marty, Wendy, and “Little” Wayne. I loved the family gatherings at your house and all the wonderful, and usually hilarious, stories you would tell. I loved you. You consistently, and without wavering, loved the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. You absolutely loved your neighbor as yourself. It is amazing to think how many people you touched over the years. You were a shining example of Christ's love and my family and I are blessed to have shared this life with you. I know, on January 12th, when you went to sleep here on the Earth and woke up in Glory, the first words you heard Jesus say were, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” You will be missed but we have that blessed assurance that we will see you again. 

I will always love you!

Memories of Aunt Maye
We lived next door to Aunt Maye and Uncle James in Northeast Houston for many years.  Even when both families moved to Porter and were probably less than one mile apart, it seemed as if they were "far away" after living "next door" for so long.  Needless to say, memories of Aunt Maye and Uncle James go as far back as I can remember.   I distinctly recall the day they brought James Marion home & laid him on their bed.  This is one of my earliest memories since I was 3 1/2 years old.  I can play the scene in my mind so clearly, and they were soooo happy.  (A similar scene was re-played years later when Marilyn joined the family!)

One of my favorite things to do when I was young was "dusting"--but only at Aunt Maye's house because I was totally enchanted with her "feather duster."  Mama asked:  "Why don't you dust at home?"  I said:  "If you get a feather duster like Aunt Maye's, I will!"  Despite being young, I may have gotten into trouble for that  statement.  

Many other memories come to mind, including first jobs for Larry, Cheryl, and myself at their "Jetero Cleaners" in Porter.  The "singings" they hosted at their home where many  friends from church would come, and we'd sing old-time gospel music for HOURS.  They introduced us to our first "eating out" experience at Monterey House in Humble, TX, and a lifelong enjoyment of Tex-Mex.  Several years after Daddy passed away, Aunt Maye phoned to say she had a surprise for me.  That was a definite understatement.  She came to our home with a handmade quilt that she wanted me to have.  She said that she and "my Daddy" had stitched this quilt years ago!!!  I could hardly believe my ears!   The idea of Daddy "quilting" was mind-blowing--even if it was done with "Sally" as Daddy always called Aunt Maye.

They were there for everything with us--happy times as well as sad times.  For example, Aunt Maye came to pick me up from school when my baby brother died when I was in the 3rd grade.  She was sooo upbeat yet gentle as she drove me home so Mama could share the sad news of Gary passing away.  When I was older, I was told about Uncle James rushing home from work and racing with the baby to the hospital, but God had already called Gary home.  Back in 1964, ambulances weren't as common as they are today, but Uncle James could drive waaayyyy faster than an ambulance anyway. 
 
Some memories have more "everlasting" effects.  For example, when I was four years old, I started going to Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with Aunt Maye and Uncle James.  "Our" pew was the second row from the front on the left by the middle aisle--Uncle James, then Aunt Maye, then me.  My four year old legs stuck straight out in front of me on the pew.  If I started jiggling my legs, Aunt Maye would gently whack me with her hand to "be still & listen" to our pastor, Bro. Sparks.  For the record, she NEVER had to take me to the pitiful looking "switch bush" that was beside the front door at Landmark. It looked pitiful because children were taken there when they got in trouble,  a "switch" was broken off the bush, and you can imagine the rest. 

At the time, my parents didn't attend church.   There were 4 of us in the car at first--Aunt Maye, Uncle James, James Marion, and me.  Some time later, my Mother, who didn't "drive," started attending with us.  Keep in mind this was back in the day when there were no car seats or seat belt laws.  By the time Marilyn and my three siblings, Larry, Cheryl, & Ronnie came along, there were "4" people in the front seat, and the "5" of us in the back seat of their car.  This went on until I got my driver's license at age 16.  It "had" to have been crowded in there, but I "don't" remember that.  It also had to be "loud" at times with a total of 6 kids, but I don't recall that either.  No one complained.  I just remember the love of family and being thankful for the opportunity to attend church.

Eventually, Mama and all 4 of her children accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior.  At some point, Mama told Bro. Sparks:  "It's usually the parent who brings the child, but this time, it was the child who brought the parent."  She was referring to me going to church before her.  The truth is:  Our eternal lives could be very different had it not been for Aunt Maye and Uncle James' willingness to allow God to work through them in bringing us all to church. 

Another important fact is: They prayed for my Daddy for years, along with Mama & us kids.  Daddy ultimately came to know Jesus as his personal Savior, too.  Aunt Maye and Uncle James rejoiced right along with all of us! 

Rest in peace, Aunt Maye. We love you and Uncle James dearly.  James Marion, too. We're thankful God shared you with our family here, and we look forward to seeing you again someday.  To God be the glory!
Love,
Connie

Dear Aunt Maye
A couple of weeks ago my sisters and I were having a conversation and spoke of some of the things we really enjoyed about you. While reminiscing, I remembered your generosity,your good humor,and infectious laugh.

I remember one time when I was planning to move into my first apartment by myself you called and invited me over. We visited and you began to rummage through your things to find what I might need to survive in the big world alone.

First,you went through your dishes. Then,your blankets...and many other things. I remembered putting it all in the back seat of my car,filling it from one side to the other. We both stood there staring at the new contents of the car.
I asked,"Where am I going to put my clothes?" You started laughing..and you continued laughing so hard you started crying. We stood there laughing until we were both in tears. I feel that there is a mistake in what we were taught that there are no tears in heaven. I have a feeling,that with you there,there are tears of laughter. You have the best laugh of anyone I know.

I also recall one time when I came by to visit you one morning. You asked me if I had eaten. I said not yet. You went into the kitchen. I heard the clatter of dishes,pots and pans. Soon I smelled the aroma of bacon filling the house. You came to the table with a feast for an army. I started out with 4 eggs, a pile of bacon, and 4 pieces of toast. No sooner than I had finished you came out with another round of breakfast. You told me,"No one leaves my house hungry." Then you sat down with you mug of hot water and told me stories about life when you were growing up. I left with a full stomach and the wonderful history of my family.

I know you always had a heart for those who were hungry. You worked in the food pantry for your church. I thought of you several weeks ago when I was in Santa Fe,New Mexico. My family and I had gone into McDonald's for breakfast. I spotted a homeless man standing with his dog and a sign asking for money so he could eat. While eating, I thought of you and how important feeding the hungry was to you. When I was done, I brought a cup of coffee and food to the man standing in the snow with his dog. After I told him"God Bless you," he thanked me. He should have been thanking you because I learned this lesson of taking care of others who are hungry from you.

When I was a child I was plagued with a speech impediment that always made me feel inferior. When I was with you in your cleaners, you let me take clothes from the customers, and allowed me to participate in doing work at your cleaners with you. I as a young boy,that made me feel so proud that you would include me in your work. This action made me forget about my speech problem for a moment, and for a time made me feel that I too could be part of everyone elses world. Between that, and my parents always telling me that I can do anything with God's strenght I was able to move beyond my speech problem and become a successful educator to other children.

Thank you for making me a part of your wonderful world and blessing my life. I am sure that heaven is a happier place because you are there.

I love you Aunt Maye.
Russell Woods

Dearest Aunt Maye, I will always remember you as a very loving,caring & compassionate person. After my mother passed away when I was 5yrs old you always seemed to be there for us. When keeping up with Kenneth and I love was always in your heart. You cared and we knew it.
I can remember you praying for me when I came to live with you. That meant more to me that you could ever know. We laughed alot.
You and Uncle James were there when I graduated from high school and when I married both of you were like my parents standing beside me.How proud I was.
I could call you anytime of the day or night,you would be there to listen.
We were always going to each others homes and just sit and talk and make quilts. I am so thankful for all the times we spent together.
I thank God for the gift of you in my life. You had faith that the Lord would see you through the good times as well as the bad times. What a precious example of a godly woman.
I miss you so much.
One day we will be with you again. I will also see my mother,dad, and Kenneth and all those who have gone before us. What a precious reunion we will have in heaven. Just think we will all have a new body and no more tears and never say goodbye.
Thank you so much for taking the place of my mother.
I love you
Louise Woods (Porter,Tx)

Maye,
It was an honor to know you, as  you were probably the most selfless person I have ever known, always putting others before you. I feel blessed to have had you in my life and will miss you.  See you soon.
Bob

Dear Mom,
I am so sorry you had to deal with this awful disease of Alzheimer.  So sorry the last eight years of your life was not how you would want to spend them.  They are not what I would have chosen for you either.  Watching you lose a little more memory each day was so hard.  You were always you; you still had your sense of humor in tack once you settled down after the move. Everyone who met you thought you were so sweet.  You were always so eager to help the other residents who had a need.  You never quit saying ‘bless their little hearts”.   Even though you might have been in worse shape than they were. Even in the last few days that you were here with us, when anyone helped you, you always said thank you so much.  You brought tears to one nurse that was helping you when you told her “God Bless You”.  
You were always so concerned for others more than you were for yourself.
I am so glad of the time we spent together, we went shopping almost daily.  Not always to buy something but for something to do together.  We had to make sure we knew were all the rest stops were, because you needed them frequently.  We frequently ate at What-A-Burger, rarely wanted anything else.  For the first four years that you were able to go to church you and I went together, you were always faithful to attend.  Our time together is now so precious to me, so thankful for the time we had together.  I am so thankful that I had the honor of caring for you.
Oh how I am going to miss you.  You are the one person in my life that I could always depend on.   I am thankful that the lord gave me the gift of you as my mother.  He knew I would need a strong and determined person to raise me.  Your strength has really become apparent to me thru each set back you had.  You never lost your faith in the Lord.
In the end you lost your physical and mental strength, but not your faith in Christ.  It is true that in our weakness his strength is made known. Your faith was all that was left, you did not lose it.  For by grace you were saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God.  Your gift of faith never left you.  Only what was of the Lord was left.  You used your gift of faith so well.  You blessed so many.
I will miss you more than you know.  But I will be coming were you are and I know you will be there with Daddy and James Marion. We will be reunited one day when my time on this earth is done.  You and I will have plenty of things to discuss about this past eight years.  We will have a few good laughs and there will be no tears.  
 My prayer is that I make you proud, that my time here on earth blesses as much as you have blessed.   I love You, You have taught me well and I thank you. 
Your Daughter,

Aunt Maye,
It was always so fun getting to go over to your house when I was younger. You were always so sweet and always had the best stories. Especially the ones about my Pawpaw when he was younger. 
I know you're in Heaven reunited with so many that you loved and missed. I look forward to the day when we're all together again.
Love you always,
Victoria

Aunt Maye,
     I am so thankful of all the indelible memories that you and uncle James gave me.  I still remember the day I called you and asked you for permission to wear Uncle James's badge number, as I was soon to be sworn Texas Peace Officer.  I continue to wear his number today and now think about both of you now and every time I put it on.  

-Thank you-

I am going to miss you Grandma. I am so happy that you are in Heaven now and can be yourself again. I appreciate all the love that you gave me through the years. I will always remember how you cherished the world around you. You always stopped to say how beautiful a butterfly, or flower was. I love how much you enjoyed Gods creations. Your life is a true inspiration, and you will be missed. Rest in peace. Your loving Grandson, James.

OBITUARY

Maye Willis Peace

June 11, 1923 – January 12, 2012

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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