Willie Mae Cowherd

 

Born May 8, 1947 in West Blocton, Alabama to the Late Rosia Mae Richardson Parker and Willie Parker Jr. In 1950, The Parker family moved to Logan, West Virginia where Mae, as she is affectionately called, attended elementary school and the Parker family attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church. In 1961, the Parker family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and Mae joined Puritan Baptist Church where the pastor was the Late John J. Crooke. Mae was baptized in at an early age and loved the Lord. Mae was still an active member of Puritan Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Larry Grinstead, until the Lord called her home. Mae attended Crispus Attucks High School where she excelled in academics. She was fun loving and a joy to be around.

After graduating from Crispus Attucks High School, Mae received some post high school education in computers, then Mae entered the workforce by accepting a position at the Old RCA record plant on eastside of Indianapolis. Mae’s interest in the early computer industry lead her to accept a position at the technology company, Schwitzer, a staple on Massachusetts ave.

In 1968, she gave birth to her son, Larry. She was such an avid and devoted sports fan, which included basketball, football and Indy car racing. Living on the westside and in close proximity to the Indianapolis 500 Rack track, the month of May, because of her birthday and the 500 race, was one of her favorite months. So much so, she almost named her son after her favorite driver, Mario Andretti.

 

In the early 70's, Mae began to exhibit signs and symptoms of the disease of addiction or substance use disorder. During this period, Mae worked on the Indianapolis Southside at John Sexton & Company also known as Sexton Quality Foods. In 1979, Mae gave birth to her daughter Talena. Talena is a source of joy and pride for Mae, she loved both her children dearly. In the 1980's Mae worked at Peerless pump for a few years. As the horrible disease of addiction progressed in Mae's life, GOD and his angels were still watching over her and her children. It takes a village to raise a child. As GOD was leading Mae out of the wilderness, a young girl who was a friend of her daughter Talena, began to come over and visit. Mae soon learned the young girl had nowhere to go, so she began to take care of her like she was her own. Mae often took care of others. She eventually learned of the story behind the young girl at her house. She was kidnapped by her non-custodial parent and her picture was on the back of milk cartons

because her custodial parent and authorities were looking for her. Mae contacted the authorities and reunited the young girl back with her family. For her heroism, in Feb of 1992, Mae was given a Certificate of Appreciation from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

 

During the end of Mae's time in active addiction she was known to cause a few problems which earned her names like "Wild Bill" and "Louise". If you ever got to meet them you know what we are talking about! GOD carried Mae out of the wilderness because he had work for her to do, but she didn't know this yet. GOD was not finished with Mae's story, on April 26, 2000, at the age of 52, HE touched Mae's heart again and gave her the strength to surrender to the lifestyle of the Disease of Addiction. She reached out and called her son Larry, who had 10 years of Recovery at the time and was working as the Director of Substance Abuse for the State, then she told him she was "TIRED, come get her now" This began her journey to recovery. Mae entered the Salvation Army Harbor Light Detox, successfully completed the Residential Treatment Program then went to long term residential treatment at Seeds of Hope, A Women's Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program. Mae loved to help people and encourage other women seeking recovery who were often much younger than her. Father Glen O'Connor, Co-Founder of Seeds of Hope and the women in the program became extended members of Mae's family as she grew in her new life of Recovery. Father Glenn encouraged her to reignite the things she enjoyed in life such being in nature, fishing, going to the State Fair and her love for GOD. Mae was always a committed reader, she read all kinds of novels. So, when she found out that there was a lot of reading in recovery she embraced the chance learn a new way of life.

 

Mae came back home to Puritan Baptist Church and was reunited with her church family which strengthened her relationship with GOD.

 

In Recovery, Mae worked a 12 Step program and got a sponsor. She briefly worked for the Children's Museum. Then got a position as an Intake Admissions Specialist at The Julian Center, Indiana's Largest Domestic Violence Center, where she worked for 20 years and until she retired in 2020 in the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic. Mae would help women in crisis and often go above and beyond to ensure women and their children had a safe place to while seeking assistance from issues related to domestic violence. In the Summer of 2018, Mae noticed some lumps on her breast and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. By February of 2022, Mae was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer that had spread to her bones. Mae stated that she knew the Lord and she had lived a great life on her terms. She was at peace as she prepared to leave her earthly body. On April 27, 2022, Mae celebrated 22 years of continuous clean time and recovery. Over the years she enjoyed being of service and traveling to various cities to attend recovery conventions with women that she had bonded with over the decades.

 

Mae departed this life peacefully on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 1:35pm EST at the 75 years, 5 months, 22 days at Evergreen Crossing and Loft, surrounded by her daughter, son and sisters. Now Mae has earned her Eternity Medallion.

 

Mae was preceded in death by her parents; Rosia Mae Richardson Parker and Willie Parker Jr., her sisters Dr. Evangelist Zeola Parker Duncan and Elfreeda Parker and brother Tommy D. Parker.

She leaves to cherish her memory son; Larry Eugene Jimison Jr., daughter: Talena Shamae Edmonds and (bonus God given daughter) Jamela McDaniels., grandchildren Kevin DeShawn Jimison, Todd Williams Jr, Ty'Jhna Latrice Williams, Toveyaunah Shamae Williams brothers; Willie Parker III (Teresa), Jesse L. Parker (Linda), Eugene Pierre Parker (Sherry) and TyWann Parker (Susie); sisters; Louvenia "Cookie" Parker and Vanessa Renia Parker and special sisters in life; Daphne Risher, Dotaphelia “Dot” Green and Linda Hampton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins.