Obituary of Mae Frances Mitchem

Mae Frances Mitchem was born on August 5, 1942 to the late Henry Thomas and Lola Mae Bracy Hammond. She was the 10th of the 12 children born to this union. Mae attended elementary school in Mecklenburg County, VA and after the death of her father in 1958 the family moved to McKenney, VA where she completed her secondary education in Dinwiddie County public schools, graduating in 1962. Mae moved to Philadelphia shortly thereafter where she met and married the late Benjamin Selby Sr. From this union, their only child, Benjamin Selby Jr. was born. She them married the late Charles L. Mitchem. In Philadelphia she began her lifelong career to help those who could not help themselves as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), which she did until her retirement a few years ago. Approximately ten years after her retirement, May developed breast cancer, which she faced head on and kept at bay for may years. However, it returned a few years ago with a vengeance. She kept her sense of humor and fought with all her might, but the disease won. She fought a good fight, finished the race, and is now at peace. There are many words to describe the beautiful soul, but some are even more appropriate than others. Some that come to mind are Believing in God, Giving, Loving, Kind, Funny, A great sense of humor, and Brutally honest. She will be greatly missed and forever loved. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son Benjamin Selby Jr. and his wife Michelle, of Nashville Tennessee, six grandchildren Nayonna (Enoch), E’Lisha, Kimani, Micaleb, Daniel, and Jada and two grandchildren Isiah and Alisa. Also surviving are two brothers, one sister-in-law, four sisters, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to put in writing but held close in heart. Mae was predeceased by five brothers.