Mae Helen Lane

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1 

“A Time To Be Born” 

Mae Helen Lane was born on November 15, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, to Elizabeth Rivers of Walterboro, South Carolina and Howard M. Wilson Sr. of Islandton, South Carolina. She was lovingly called “Helen” and “Aunt Helen” by family and friends and GeeGee by her great grands. 

 “A Time To Serve”
As a young girl, she attended public school in Brooklyn, New York  and graduated from William H. Maxwell, High School. She mastered the skills in Home Economics, where she excelled in sewing. She was a member of Williamsburg Christian Church where she was baptized at a young age. Mae grew up in Brooklyn with her three younger siblings Bernice, Howard (Brah) and Janas. When she relocated to Laurelton, New York, she immediately joined Majority Baptist Church, in Jamaica, New York. For years in the early 2000’s, Mae had dual residences, Roscoe, New York where she attended The First Baptist Church in Monticello, New York and Walterboro, South Carolina where she attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church. In 2014, Mae joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Wayne Carter. At each house of worship, she served on several ministries that included: the Usher Board, choir, missionary ministry, pastor’s aide and the women’s ministry; she was also a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church’s Senior Club and Hook With Love Circle Crochet Group. She received several certificates of appreciation for her service in her community. Mae loved the Lord.
After graduating High School, Mae worked at “Ma Bell” nicknamed for New York Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator. In 1993, Mae retired from, “Ma Bell” which was purchased Verizon to enjoy her life to the fullest. 

“A Time To Love”
On June 22, 1957, Mae married the love of her life, David Lane Jr. From that union two children were born, a son, Timothy Bobby, and a daughter, Brenda Memzie. Mae and David played an integral part in raising all their grandchildren. Their home in upstate New York, a.k.a. Camp Roscoe was a retreat for both adults and children. She nurtured her family.  Mae always greeted her family with a kiss and a “I love you”. 

“A Time To Die”
On Friday, February 28, 2025, an angel of silence sealed the lips of our loved one at Pruitt Health-Walterboro, South Carolina. During her brief stay at Pruitt – Health. She was being rehabilitated for weakness in her legs and arm due to kidney complications. 

“A Time To Mourn” 

Mae was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth (Queen) Wilson; father Howard M. Wilson, Sr.; mother-in-law, Memzie Lane; father-in-law, David Lane Sr.; husband, David Lane Jr.; sisters, Janas Adams, Bernice Williams; brothers in-law, Clarence Thomas and Theordore (Teddy) Adams; sister-in-law, Janie Thomas and great-granddaughter, Zakarah Hashadayah Lane. 

Mae is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Lawrence) M. Gray; son, Timothy (Valerie), B. Lane; grandchildren, Mustafa (Zoe) K. Lane, Amina S. Lane, Shanese J. Gray, Jamel L. Gray, Saara Lane Jackson, Binyamiyn Lane (Alexandra), David Jackson, Tierra Cooper and Adia Lawson; great- grandchildren; Malachi K. Lane, Christopher Calloway, Daniel Lane, Alexander Lane and Alucard Jackson; brother, Howard (Elsie) M. Wilson Jr.; brother-in-law, Phillip Williams; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and family in Christ. 

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