Mattie M. Mayo

Mattie Mae was born on April 2, 1933 to her loving parents Callie and Ethel Lindsey of Wadesboro, North Carolina. Mattie was the youngest of five sisters, Charlie Bell, Lucinda (Cindy), Mary Ethel, and Harriet Edna.

Mattie came to know the Lord at an early age as a member of Sandy Grove Baptist Church in Lumberton, North Carolina. She and her sisters would not only have bible studies at the Church but also at home. Their father was a Deacon of the Church.

Mattie graduated from J. H. Hayswood High School in 1951. Mattie was especially proud to have been a high school debutante. In addition, she was honored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority for academic achievements as a high school student.

Soon after graduation, Mattie ventured to Queens New York to live with her sister Lucinda “Cindy” and brother-in-law Sonny. While in New York, she attained her certification as a Radiology Technician.

Soon after completing her studies, Mattie accepted a job as a Radiology Technician at a facility in Queens. Fate would have it that she would meet her future husband, Leonard. Leonard was a USPS Mail Carrier in the area where she worked. Mattie finally gave in to Leonard's numerous attempts to gain her attention. Leonard would later pass the most important test. He gained the trust and approval of Cindy and Sonny for him to begin dating Mattie. About two years later, Mattie and Leonard wed on February 10, 1962 at Bethany Baptist Church in Jamaica New York.

Three years later on April 3rd, they gave birth to their only child, Anthony.

Mattie elected to be a stay at home mother. She would later volunteer as a teacher's assistant and a lunch mother at Saints Joachim and Anne School.

Mattie and Leonard were also active members at Saints Joachim and Anne Church.

Her experience as a teacher’s assistant would eventually lead her to pursue a position as an educator. Mattie went on to complete her BA in Early Childhood Education at Queens College and subsequently attained a Masters Degree in Education from Long Island University.

Mattie was a devoted educator with a focus on Special Education. Her more than 16 years of teaching experience spanned many assignments with NYC Public Schools as well as private schools.

Mattie made a heart-felt decision by taking an early retirement to care for her ailing sister, Cindy. She shifted that devotion for her students towards her sister. She demonstrated a tremendous amount of love, resolve, and devotion in caring for her sister.

After accepting the loss of her sisters Harriet and Cindy, Mattie occupied her time by traveling the world. Mattie also became a community activist with the Queens Community Board District 13. She became a member of The Jamaica Hospital Auxiliary Board. In addition, she absolutely loved exercising and socializing at The Cross Island YMCA in Bellerose Queens. One would often find Mattie enjoying back-to-back water aerobic sessions at a single visit.

Mattie has been a member of Christian Cultural Center since the days of standing on long lines outside of Christian Life Center. She regularly woke up to the teachings of her Pastor A.R. Bernard on WMCA at 6:30 AM. She fondly cherishes that chance encounter with Pastors Bernard and Karen while she celebrated her birthday at a restaurant in Garden City.

Throughout her life, Mattie admirably demonstrated perseverance. That perseverance was evident even more over the last few years of her life. In 2013, she overcame triple bypass surgery. In 2016, she survived breast cancer. And on May 16, 2017, she successfully underwent a unique non-invasive procedure to address complications with her Mitral Valve. Throughout all of these physical challenges, she never once complained of being in pain. She was a remarkably strong and courageous woman.

Mattie is survived by her son Anthony, daughter-in-law Alicia, granddaughters Janae and Jordan, "sister-like" niece Carolyn, nieces Dianne, Shelia, Kathy, Angela, nephews Thomas and Robbie, cousins Eliza, Vivian, and Joletha, God daughter Denise, a host of other relatives and countless dear friends.