Mother Willie Mae Campbell

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, aunt, and friend Willie Mae Campbell went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the blessed age of 90 years. The second oldest of ten children, she was born April 25, 1931 in Sallis, Mississippi, to Anderson “Chap” Boatman and Emmaline Riley.

In her youth she was known in her small community for her abilities as a dancer, so much so that she was given the playful nickname, “The Dancing Fool”. In her teenage years she met the love of her life, Jake “J Baby” Campbell. On August 25, 1949 they married and from their union nine children were born: five boys and four girls. After living the sharecropping life in the Mississippi Delta for many years she was determined to give her children a better life, so she set a goal to leave the south and move north to Saginaw, Michigan, where her mother and older brother were residing. In July of 1971 after the last of her three oldest daughters went away to college, Willie Mae with her six younger children in tow, moved to Saginaw, Michigan where she met lifelong friends, Minnie Mae Turner-Clayton and Inell Hoover. After a few months, “J Baby” joined his family to establish permanent roots in Saginaw. In 1975, 9 Alamo Court would become the Campbell Family forever home, where she grew her garden, flowers and enjoyed talking over the fence with her neighbors Mrs. Jackson, the Littles, and the Christmas family.

Even though Willie Mae was only able to complete the eighth grade, she always stressed the importance of getting a higher education. She “did not play” in this area. She would not allow her children to miss school days. She served over fifteen years as a board member for the Saginaw County Action Committee (CAC), Inc., an organization that provides services to the community. She served as a member of Zeta Amicae Auxiliary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and on the Welfare Rights Committee with her dear friend Myrtle Roby. She was affectionally known as “Madea” and “Sweet Willie” by her children and as “Babysitter” by many others. She cared deeply for her family, church family, community, and her beloved neighborhood, nurturing and caring for many children, never asking for anything in return. She was a woman of integrity and a role model for her children.

Willie Mae loved to look her best. She loved being sharply dressed, wearing her high heel shoes and adorning her big smile with her red lipstick. God blessed her with the talent of cooking. Sunday dinner was essential and the bedrock of weekly family gatherings. There is no way you would leave without having her collard greens, chicken, black-eyed peas, neck bones, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and sweet potato pie. And don’t forget that extra “sweet” tea.

New Galilee Full Gospel Baptist Church was her church home for over 46 years. She served on the Mother and Usher Boards until her illness.

God first and her family were most important in her life. Memories of her smile, Sunday dinners, words of wisdom and servant spirit will forever be cherished by four daughters, Emma (Dennis) Morrison, Linda Stacy (Reco), both of Saginaw, Earlean (John) Garrett of Arlington, Texas, Georgia Simon of New Haven, Connecticut; four sons, Larry (Carrie) Campbell, Woodrow (Denise) Campbell, Michael (Stacy) Campbell, all of Saginaw, Anthony (Lisa) Campbell of Las Cruces, New Mexico, fourteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, sister-in- law, Grace(Wondrous) Erkins; brothers-in-law, Sam Jr.(Barbara)Thurman, Moses Thurman, all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; special friends Pearl Dorsey and Charlene Snow and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jake Campbell Sr., son, Jake Campbell, Jr., son-in-law, Charles Edward Simon, daughter-in-law, Deborah Works Campbell, granddaughter, Harmony Campbell, her parents, Anderson “Chap” Boatman and Emmaline Riley; nine siblings, William C. Boatman, Earlean Henley, Annie Lee Burnside, Willie E. Boatman, W.J. Boatman, Emma L. Boatman, Bessie L. Burnside, Tommie E. Boatman and Daniel L. Boatman; god- siblings, Walter Boatman and Ruby Bruce.

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