Mae (Mary) Helen McNeal was born in Reform, Mississippi Choctaw County, January 24,1944 to the late Evie D. Cork and Amos Hyde. She accepted Christ at an early age at Reform Methodist Baptist Church in Reform Mississippi.
Mary attended grade school at Choctaw County school in Ackerman Mississippi until her late Mother Evie D. Cork moved her and her two children to Evanston, Illinois in 1960. Mary lived her teenage life attending Evanston Township high. Mary worked in a candy factory in Skokie, Illinois for a few years. In her early twenties she met and married Joe Louis (Lewis) Murray on February 25,1964. In their union they created three daughters: Felicity, Sonji, and Regina. They moved from Evanston, Illinois to Chicago's Northside in an area called Uptown where they raised their family until the passing of her husband Lewis Murray, she continued on raising their daughters. She worked hard and supported her daughters everyday even while the grief was passing through her. With Strength and hard work, she did her job.
Mary was a hard worker; she earned her GED in the early seventies; she started her career was a Teacher's Assistant at Stewart School 1970-72, Woolworth's 1973-1974; Certified Nursing Assistant at Normandy Terrance Nursing home 1975-77, Goldblatt's, Rank Videos, Bi-Links (Factory) during the 80's and Dollar Tree late 90's. early 2000's where she retired her hat.
Our Mom loved to dance, and she enjoyed life, she had a smile that would light up a room. She was an Uptown Mother for sure! Everyone she met loved her, it was part of her ministry of helping others, she definitely fed the neighborhood with cakes, cookies {big oatmeal cookies) snacks she always had something in that bag and lots of big hugs. You knew when you see Grandma you would have a big red lipstick mark on your cheek. Such an amazing, loving and caring woman, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and wife. She loved her family so much you always got gifts for birthdays and a cake.
Mom you lit up our lives with your love, you will always be remembered, Thank you for everything. Sunday morning January 23, 2022, Mom got her wings, those who preceded her in death: Husbands Lewis Murray and Robert McNeal and grandson Juan (Darrell) Davenport
She leaves to cherish in her memories: One brother J.W. Cork in Euphoria, MS; Daughters: Felicity Murray (Johnny) of Chicago, IL; Sonji Murray-Allen {Malcom (Redd})-Chicago, IL. And Regina Murray of Chicago, Ll Grandchildren: Lewis (Reese) Murray (Tamanique) Chicago., IL; who preceded her in death: Walter Washington, Jr. Alexis Murray of Milwaukee, WI; Julius Murray (Ida) Evanston, IL; Jasma Williams, Chicago, IL Shanece Wiliams (Will) North Chicago, Joleesa Williams, Chicago, IL April Johnson, North Chicago; Amber Rufus= Chicago, IL, Ashly Rufus-Evans (Michael) of Chicago, Andrew (Drewski)Rufus (Deana)Rockford, IL, Adriana Wiliams(lvory) North Chicago, Aaliyah William, Guyton(Emmanuel)Chicago, IL; 48 Great-Grandchildren and 3 great-great granddaughters, Two nephews Darren Cork (Sonia) of Berwyn, IL and Quintin Preister of Atlanta, Georgia ; a host of cousins and friends. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director
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