Reta Mae Spurlock, (who everyone called Mae), was born on October 6, 1939, in Pike County, Mississippi. She was the 1st of 6 children born to her mother, Wilma Thomas and raised by her grand-father Jessie Spurlock. She departed this life on Wednesday, October 5th, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leandrew Bullock, Grand-Father Jessie Spurlock, Mother Wilma Thomas and brother Leroy Thomas.
Mae leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter Carolyn Bullock Pearson-Millan (husband Pedro Millan) and son Andre Bullock. Her Grandchildren Damean Bullock, Andre Bullock Jr, Destiny Bullock and Dacia Bullock. Great-grandson, Andre Ra’King Bullock. Brothers and Sisters, Prentice Spurlock (wife, Ella Mae), James Thomas Jr., Francis Simmons (husband, Jerry), and Joann Thomas. Uncles and Aunts, IH Spurlock, Rosa Emma Felder, Hanna Jann Barnes and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Mae was raised by her uncle Jessie in Magnolia, Ms. They lived across the street from the Bullock family. This is how she met her childhood friend, Leandrew Bullock, who later became her husband. Leandrew Bullock and Reta Mae Spurlock were married in 1960. They gave birth to their first child, Carolyn, in 1964. In 1966, they moved to Milwaukee, WI. In 1973, they had their second child, Andre. Mae lived her remaining years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The growth of her family continued….her daughter Carolyn is married to Pedro Millan.
Her son, Andre, blessed our mother with three grandchildren: Damean, Andre, Jr. and Destiny.
And then the blessing continued, her grandson Andre, Jr, blessed our mother with her first great-grandson, Andre Ra’King Bullock.
Mae had a care givers heart. She worked as a nurse’s aide for St. Michaels hospital until they changed over to St. Josephs hospital. Her care giving didn’t stop there. She was an usher at her church, True Heart Missionary Baptist church and she started a day care center. Now there was something really special about her day care center. Her daycare center wasn’t a for profit daycare center like most are, it was more of a care giver center. What do I mean by this? Mama would watch children for a number of different reasons, so parents could further their education or for children to come too, because daycare cost were too expensive at other places. She never pressured them for the money. Whatever the case was, it wasn’t about the money, but about extending a helping hand. She was concerned about the family core and the needs of the children being met while the parents had to do their daily duties outside of the home. And mama loved having children around her, so it brought joy to her as well. Her caregiving also extended to our neighbors. There was the Nowaki family, who lived next door to us. They had a special needs child and mama would always look in on them. After Mr. Nowaki lost his wife, mama would take him to all of his appointments, etc.
Our mother loved to bowl, dance and sit out on the front porch. Sitting out on the front porch is where she connected with other people and spent time with her grandchildren. Mama would pass out food to those in need who lived in the neighborhood. She would spend time talking with neighbors and watching the children play. She was also the neighborhood watch person. Not because she was asked to do it, but that’s just what she believed neighbors should do for one another.
Our mother was a pillar of light, that reflected Love, Strength and Generosity. The light of her life and love for others not only impacted her family, but those outside of her family. Many people have passed through her life, just on the fact that she was extending a helping hand. Whether it was food, clothing or shelter. Our mother truly reflected the scripture, Mat. 25:35-36 “ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ And for this we say thank you to our mother for showing us how to be Love, Strength and Generosity in action. Our mother’s life was truly a reflection of love. Not just the spoken word of saying “I love you”, but the actions of love by showing it to others. Many say that we love but do we put the actions of love behind our words. Well, our mother did.
(A Poem From Stasia – Mama’s Next door Neighbor)
Speak Their Name
Someone I love has gone away
And life is not the same
The greatest gift that I can give
Is to just speak their name
I need to hear the stories
And the tales of the days gone past
I need for you to understand
These memories must last
We cannot make more memories
Since they are no longer here
So when you speak of them to me
Is music to my ear
I would like to add: as long as you speak their name they will always live with you: RETA
Untangling the vines of thoughts, that I have had in my head as the death of my mother, just days ago, and still the thoughts of my father 4 months ago of course. I realized the Power of Love!!! How special and unique, because it is the reason that we are all here. Love after you’ve known someone for over 70 years of your life and are with each other for over 70 years, life just isn’t life without the other. This is what I believe my mom wanted to continue, to be with my dad. So, on her 83rd birthday, Oct. 5, she was with him the day before and still has not spent one day on or off the earth without each other. Now you tell me that ain’t love. My parents will never be gone, that’s just flesh, they will always be with us in our hearts.
The outpouring of support we have received from family, friends and associates has been so heartfelt and we are truly grateful to you all. We appreciate your phone calls, cards, floral tributes, food and other expressions of kindness, which has been a great source of comfort to us. Thank you all; you have been a great source of support and we appreciate you.
There will be a rose bush planted at the family home in remembrance of our mother where her ashes will be scattered.
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO : Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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