Georgia Mae Wade's Obituary
Mrs. Georgia Mae Wade was a loving wife, family matriarch, devoted first lady, neighbor and friend. She passed away at age 91 on August 27, 2015.
Born October 4, 1923 in Sunflower County, Mississippi to the late John Henry Stephen and Johnnie Lou (Redd) Stephen, Georgia Mae Stephen was beautiful, outgoing, and a dedicated student, graduating from Sunflower High School. After graduation she met and married a strapping young man, Willie George Wade of Georgiana, Alabama. They were married in 1941. The Wade family moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1945.
Mrs. Wade realized the unique call of God upon her husband’s life and together they stepped out on faith to become the founding pastor and wife of the Lily Missionary Baptist Church. They were dedicated to the ministry and the mission of Lily, impacting the church and the entire Jackson community, serving tirelessly for thirty-nine years, until the Lord called Pastor W.G. Wade home to his reward on March 4, 1987. Pastor and Mrs. Wade enjoyed forty-six years of marriage.
A perpetual student of the Bible, Mrs. Wade attended classes at New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson. She also attended classes at the National Baptist Convention USA and Chain Lake Baptist District Association. She wholeheartedly embraced her role as teacher of the Lily Missionary Baptist Church Missionary Society.
As Lily's founding first lady, she held several positions in the church from president of the Missionary Society, director of the Senior Choir, founder and director of the Pastor’s Choir and church organist. For many years her voice could be heard every Sunday morning proclaiming words from Psalm 27 as the announcer for the church’s radio broadcast on WIBM Radio. She traveled the world and graced many stages to sing with her daughter, gospel singer, Babbie Mason. Together, they recorded the songs God Will Open Up the Windows and Stop By the Church. The latter won a Dove Award for Babbie in the category Gospel Recorded Song of the Year in 1997.
From 1991-1994 Mrs. Wade held the office of president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Chain Lake Baptist Association. For many years she served as the President of the Michigan State Interdenominational Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. She was one of the ten original women who founded the Jackson Association of Ministers' Wives and Ministers’ Widows and remained a member since its inception in November of 1952. In 2012 she was honored by the Jackson chapter for 60 years of service which included positions of Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Worship Leader and Historian.
Mrs. Wade enjoyed her position as sales clerk for Jacobson’s retiring in 1986 after 16 years of service.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and step-father Manuel Robertson, Sr., brothers, Ulysses, Matthew, and Manuel, Jr., grandson Robert, and granddaughter Kaeleann. She leaves Rev. Wade’s five children, Ben (Delores) of Lansing, Alan of Jackson, Babbie Mason (Charles) of Bowdon, GA, Benita Dear (Tyrone, deceased) of Detroit, Matthew (Lynn) of Brighton; sister, Maeola Bowman; sister-in-law Athelene Barnett; eleven grand children, twelve great grand children and two great-great grand children; three nephews and one niece.
Mrs. Georgia Mae Wade was a woman of great faith and often reminded those she loved never to “hang in there” but, after having done all, to stand, referring to Ephesians 6:13. She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity both at home and around the world.
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