Mae Bell Joyner

Remembering the life of

Mae Bell Joyner

With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away and although we love you dearly we could not make you stay. 

Blessed is the Man who endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (James 1:12).

Mae Bell Joyner, was born to the late Levi Banks (Charlotte, NC) and Mary Elliott (Durham, NC) on January 1, 1927 in Portsmouth, VA. She peacefully departed this life at her granddaughter’s home in Greenwood, DE on Saturday, March 18, 2023 surrounded by her family and loved ones. 

Mae Bell received her formal education from Booker T. Washington in Portsmouth, Va. She left VA and moved to Chicago where she got married and had her first two children. Later, she moved to Salisbury and finally to DE with her mother where she had her last four children and remained there. In 1970, she married the late Nathaniel Joyner. In her earlier years she worked at Peninsula General as a nurse, DuPont in Seaford, DE and she retired from Townsend in Millsboro with perfect attendance in 1987. 

Mom Mae Bell, as she was known to everyone served the Lord for 60 years. She was a faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. McKinnis & the late Rev. Benny Hickman. She recently was a member at New Birth for the last 5 ½ years under the leadership of Bishop Dean Evans, who she loved dearly. While serving she was on several boards and was always willing and available to do whatever was asked and available to her. 

To know Mae Bell was to love her. She was the oldest mother in her community (Coverdale Crossroads). She was loved and respected by everyone. She loved to cook (and was known for her famous bread pudding), play cards, bowl and play bingo. She loved going to the senior center and hanging with her friends. Especially her three best friends the late Ms. Lucille Phillips, Ms. Emma Williams and Ms. Estelle Stevenson. But most of all she loved spending time with her children and family. She loved to travel and was always ready to go on a road trip. Her last trip was to Augusta, GA last Thanksgiving to see her grandson graduate from the military. She was blessed to see 5 generations! 

She was preceded in death by her parents: her husband Nathaniel Joyner, her youngest son Christopher Columbus Brewer, her eldest son Johnny Brewer Jr., her daughter Patricia McDowell, her grandchildren: Johnny Brewer III, Michael Brewer, her great-grandchildren: David Baker, Phillip Brewer III, Troy Haynes Jr., Ajai Long. Her Sisters: Olean McClane, Daisey Pinder, Arletha Emory, Allezine Joseph and Edna Dillard. 

She leaves to mourn her passing 3 daughters Gladys Bumbrey(Ricardo Bumbrey), Helen Brewer and Monterey Brewer-Pladgett (Luther Pladgett), a daughter-in-law Gloria Brewer. 28 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great grandchildren, relatives and friends. Her good friends Ms. Helen Stanley, Ms. Clara Ann, and her cheer driver Mr. Joe. 

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

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