A native of Durham, she was the daughter of the late W. E. and Leona Mae McCall Jolley.  Mae was a member of New Bethel Church of Shelby.
After retirement from Esther Mill, Mae was employed at Wal-Mart.

She was a loving wife and mother and loved to share her gift of being able to speak with her hands.  She taught that gift at many places including Cleveland Community College, Isothermal and Gaston Community College. Mae interpreted at many weddings, funerals and court proceedings. She began the Deaf Ministry at First Baptist Church in Shelby on October 12, 1969.  Mae loved to laugh and make others laugh.  She will be missed by all that knew her, especially her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Ray Blackwood, two sisters, Margaret McCluney and Joanna Kale, and a grandson, Jonathan Blackwood.

She is survived by two sons, Ray Blackwood and wife, Rhonda of Kings Mountain, Gary Blackwood and wife, Donna of Shelby, and one daughter, Kay Blackwood and husband, Dale Wellmon of Boulder, CO., four grandchildren, Adam Blackwood of Shelby;  Will and Logan Blackwood of Shelby; and Chris Wellmon and wife, Cherie of Oakley, UT.

Visitation:  The family will receive friends and hour and a half before the service, at the funeral home.

Funeral:  2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home

Memorials:  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Burial:  Boiling Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Officiated by:  Rev. Mark Padgett

Funeral Home: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby