Shirley Mae Seward

Mrs. Shirley Mae Seward, of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of Urbana, Illinois, departed this life for eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning of Saturday, December 5, 2015. She was born July 26, 1946, the first born to Albert Lee and Mae Ella Peat. She married the love of her life, Wilford Nathaniel Seward Sr., on November 27, 1964. He preceded her in death on April 19, 2011.

At an early age, Mrs. Seward was baptized and faithfully served the Lord throughout her life as a member of William Chapel, Humboldt, TN, Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, Urbana, IL, Macedonia Baptist Church, Champaign, IL, and Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Meza, AZ. As a member of Macedonia, she served in various auxiliaries and was well known for directing the Male Choir and co-facilitating the Male Chorus Saturday Night Sing.

Mrs. Seward was a graduate of Champaign Central High School and worked for the University of Illinois for many years. On October 8, 1979, Shirley became the first African American female police officer for the City of Champaign. She proudly served the City of Champaign until October 11, 1993. Mrs. Seward was an extraordinary, highly respected police officer and proudly served the community for fourteen years with integrity and courage. She also worked tirelessly on the behalf of underprivileged children and families and served as a foster parent helping to secure permanent homes for many children as a recruiter for the One Church-One Child organization. Mrs. Seward and her husband adopted five children, two nieces and a nephew. She stressed the importance of education, serving God, and serving others.

Mrs. Seward is survived by her siblings, Larry (Rose) Peat, Wilma (Luther) McNeal, Linda Peat, and Doris Peat, and children James Peat (Valinda), Tammy Newton, Todd Peat (Jana), Pamela White (Andre), Kimberly Seward-Burton (Steffond), Wilford Nathaniel Seward, Jr. (Elnore), Willie Seward, Barbara Johnson (Houston), Anira Peat-Seward, Dwayne Peoples, Jovita King, Shyla Bartee (Robert), Montrell Peat-Seward (Jasmine), Darnell Seward, David Seward, Katoria Seward, Tetreanna Seward, and Taija Seward. She is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, fifteen god-children, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and her best friend, Beverly Robinson. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. Seward was a generous and compassionate woman who dedicated her life to serving and being a blessing to others. She truly exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman. Mrs. Seward loved to cook and travel and cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Her home was warm and she welcomed all with good food, a listening ear, and words of encouragement.

Lakeshore Mortuary, Mesa, AZ is in charge of cremation services. At Mrs. Seward’s request, her life will be celebrated at a family gathering on December 19, 2015 in Charlotte, NC. Condolences can be shared online at www.dignitymemorial.com/lakeshore-mortuary. Memorial donations can be made at the First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign-Urbana, Shirley Seward Memorial Fund.