Mrs. Mary Louise Wynn McDade

This is the Story of a True Matriarch. Our Mother, Mary Louise was caring, loving, giving, smart, committed, charming,authentic and charismatic. She lived for ninety years and touched the lives of many. Known for her inspirational smile and unique speaking voice, there was just something about her that made people feel special. It all started June 24, 1928, Mom was the first child of six born to Fred and Erieline Wynn in Montgomery, Alabama. She was educated in the Montgomery school system and went on to attend Alabama State. Mom lost her parents at the age of 12 and was left in the care of family members, in particular, her Aunt Julia. Being the oldest of six children she possessed nurturing qualities early on. She went on to develop a fervor for early childhood education teaching elementary aged youngsters in a one room school house in Alabama. This passion would carry her activities for the rest of her career. On the 26th day of March in 1951, Mom married our father Clinton McDade. To this union, seven children were born. John, the oldest was born in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1953, Mom and John left Alabama arriving in Michigan at Grand Central Station to join our father in Muskegon, Michigan, where he was stationed in the military. Later, they moved to Detroit, first on Rochester Street then to Holcomb Street. It was in Detroit, where Clinton "Romeo," Stephen, Carlton, Deborah, Elaine, and Gregory were born. Once in Detroit, Mom held a few positions in retail until she was able to get back to her passion in early childhood education. She earned several certifications in education from the State of Michigan and Wayne State University. She worked as an educator at St. Bernard Community School until she retired. It was during her time at St. Bernard that she was given the nickname,"Mrs. Mc DayCare"; a tribute to her joyful investment into the lives of all children. During mom's years at the school, many of her children and grandchildren either attended the school or got their first job there working in the summer day camp program. Mom always made sure that our home was a place of love, fellowship and family. Over the years, she hosted many family gatherings, cared for many of our friends and ensured that our home was a safe place for any who would enter. As a devoted grandmother to her fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, mom was a strong fixture in all of their lives. She was the latchkey, the tutor, the Sunday school teacher,, the volunteer coordinator, the nurse, the chef, the bed and breakfast and sometimes the drill sergeant! Mom attended most, if not all of the activities of her children, grandchildren and great grands from grade school to graduate school to medical school. She always said, when one of us graduate-she graduates. She was the world's best "peanut butter and jelly maker," champion chicken fryer, sweet potato pie maker, the Queen of dumping ingredients together to make things taste so good and stretch so far to feed us all. Going way back, we remember when she would feed as many of the Martin Luther King High School football team members that our brother Stephen would bring home. Anytime you would pop by for a visit, it wouldn't be unusual to hear, "I wish you wouldhave called ahead so I could make sure you had something to eat!" But, even if you did not call ahead, she would always put a meal together and you would never leave her house with an empty stomach. She was truly the Queen of the Kitchen. Accepting Christ as a young girl in the AME church, her devotion to God was weaved into every aspect of her life. Mom was a pioneer as she became the second African American woman to join St. Luke Lutheran Church in the late 1960s. St. Luke's merger with two other Lutheran churches, which later became Genesis Lutheran Church is where Mom was ordained a Deacon in 1993. She was an active member of innumerable committees and worked every year in the summer program. Many of mom's grandchildren either attended and/or worked in the summer program. Mom held several leadership roles at Genesis. She was also a board member for the Women of the ELCA-Southeast Michigan SYNOD, African American Lutheran as well as other community boards. Oh, and with all this, she found time to travel to Africa, Spain and various other international destinations. Mom even had an annual Thanksgiving trip back to Alabama attending football games and visiting with family. She taught us the importance of family, to take care of each other, that there is more to the world than what we could see and to not be afraid to and explore. A strong, proud woman, Mom wasn't afraid of anything or anyone. She was a "little piece of leather, well put together" that could keep all of us and anyone else in line with the threat of being introduced to the "five of club." Mom was very particular about the way things should be done. She dismissed foolishness with a simple phrase of, "Get out of my face." She was straightforward with her advice and did not hesitate to warn of getting "your priorities straight," but it was done in love. As her grandchildren can tell you, Mom did not mess around when it came to quiet time also known as "The Young and the Restless" time, one false move and you would hear "you can Go To Bed." We have been blessed to have a True Matriarch. She provided a strong foundation for our family and her legacy will continue for generations. We will miss and live her forever. Mom made a peaceful transition at her residence in Redford, MI with her family by her side. Her husband, Clinton and sons, Carlton and Stephen preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory: five children, John (Marie), Clinton (Sabrina) , Deborah (Ralph), Elaine (Willie II), and Gregory (Kim); daughter-in-law, Cathy; fourteen grandchildren, Dwana (Kevin), Wenone, John II, WaKeisha, Ralph II (LaShawnda, Damon, Autum (Darieus), Justin (Bethany), Darreaus, Willie III, Corynn, Kourtnee, WaKel, and Gregory Jr.;fourteen great-grandchildren, Sierra, ArranN, Kevin Jr., Justi, Imani, Najah, Maraya, Erin, Jaden, Jordan, Isabel W., Isabelle M., Dozier III, AND Jeremiah; two sisters, Loreeta and Erielyne; one sister-in-law, Theresa; one brother-in-law, Billy; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family friends.

Mrs. Mary Louise Wynn McDade

June 24, 1928 - December 20, 2018