Willie Mae Mcdonald

Willie Mae McDonald was born on July 4, 1937 in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Flossie Louise Allison. Willie Mae was affectionately known as “Lil Bit” to all her close family and friends. She transitioned from this life, peacefully in her home on May 17, 2024

Willie Mae grew up on Oliver St. in the Greenville Community. She attended West Charlotte High School. She often reflected upon her fond memories of Greenville and Biddlevillle. Some of the highlights were attending the annual Queen City Classic football games, eating at the numerous cafes, of course seeing shows then dancing the night away at the famed Hi-Fi Club. Willie Mae moved to the Cherry Community in the early 1960’s with her two young daughters, Valerie and Sabrina to be closer to her mother. Soon afterwards she became an employee at The Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Due to her work ethic she was noticed by a doctor who referred her to one of his friends to be their housekeeper. Next she aligned with an organized group of domestic workers in Cherry. She then embarked a forty year journey as the housekeeper for many prominent families in the Myers Park Community.

Long before HGTV Willie Mae loved interior decorating and gardening. It was not uncommon for her children to leave for school then return home only to find a fully redecorated room with painted walls and all. She thoroughly enjoyed working in her yard with a constant array of DIY projects going on all the time. She always planted roses, dogwood trees and a variety of azaleas in the yards of her homes in Cherry.

The thing Willie Mae loved almost more than anything was being a woman of great service. She never hesitated to help another person in need. Whether it was anonymously giving to a cause or even taking people into her home during tough times. She never turned her back on those around her. As a long time member of Myers Tabernacle AME Zion church she served on the Steward Board, Hymn Choir, and a Twelve Tribe Rally captain. We will all miss her wonderful sense of humor and loving presence in our lives.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Willie Earnest McDonald, her mother Flossie Louise Allison, Sister Margie L. Sutton, and brother Thomas McLaughlin.

She leaves to mourn; Daughters Valerie Huntley and Sabrina Lilly, Son Michael A. Sutton, Grandchildren, Tremaine “Tree” Tyson, Nikki Lilly-Glenn, Mya Chisholm, Xzavin Sutton, Christian Sutton, Great Grandchildren, Raheed McCray, Adalis Glenn, Joshua Glenn, Jacob Glenn, Azhar Tyson, Sky Bleu Tyson, and Five Great Great Grandchildren,
Longtime Friends, Betty Stitt and Doris “Dot” Dennis, Special Family Friends, Ryan McCray, Alma McCray, Bill and Mary Staton, Will Staton, David and Sarah Grayson Rhoads.