Mae Tame was born Willie Mae Simmons, October 7, 1914 in Brantley, Alabama, and she died at age 97 on December 29, 2011 in Asheville, NC. Mae was preceded in death by her son, William Lee Best (Timmy) in October, 2004. Donald R. Best, her first husband and father of her five children, also preceded her in death in September, 2006. Mae is survived by her sister, Pearl S. Turner of Denver, CO and her four children, Judith Anne Woods (Barry), D. Ross Best (Jody), Cynthia Lynn McNeill (Tom), and Teryl Best-Zurick (Doug).  Also surviving are her grandchildren, Jeanne Sadler, Jannet Chavez, Janice O’Deegan, David Best, Michael Best, Sarah Best, Rachel Best, and Jared Best; great grandchildren, Raymond Juarez, Staunzie Best, Nathan Brendt, Ailish O’Deegan, Kyle O’Deegan, Jacob Fryer, and Christopher Fryer.

Mae was married 25 years to Donald R. Best, their marriage ended in divorce. She later remarried and divorced. She devoted the rest of her life to caring for her five grandchildren and others in Utah. During her lifetime, she lived in many cities and towns across the U.S. She left Brantley, AL at the age of 10 when her mother remarried and moved to Denver, CO where she remained until her divorce from Don. Mae then resided in California, Michigan, Utah, and Reno, Nevada where she lived independently having her daughter Cindy and son-in-law, Tom assist with her care. In May, 2006 she finally returned to the South living her last 5 ½ years near her youngest daughter Teryl and her husband Doug in Asheville, NC, residing at Flesher’s Fairview Health Care Center and nursing home where she received loving care.
 
In Mae’s early years, she was nicknamed “Billie” by which she is fondly remembered by her sister, family, and long term friends. When she left Colorado and started her new life in California, she became known as “Mae.” She initially was inspired to go into a nursing career following in her mother’s footsteps. But after 2 years she concluded it was not her “cup of tea.”  During her lifetime, she worked as a Junior Buyer of teen clothing at May D&F Dept. Store in Denver, CO and various banking positions in family owned as well as commercial banks and antique retail. She served as a pink lady at Port Huron Hospital, semi- professional Nanny, and in her senior years she worked as a Senior Companion for 10 years in Sandy, Utah.

Mae was raised Baptist,  but later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). In her church service, she sang in many choirs with her beautiful soprano voice. In Sandy, Utah she served as librarian in her Ward. Her many interests and talents included fashion, home décor, floral design, and cooking – basically she was “Martha Stewart” before Martha Stewart was cool. She was an avid reader and lover of poetry. But her most enduring trait was her caring and love of “people” – a stranger was truly just someone she hadn’t yet met. Until the last of her days she was able to express gratitude and thanks to her family and caregivers.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at Sandy Central Stake of the Church of Latter-day Saints, 1050 Galena Drive, Sandy, UT 84094, (801) 633-0715.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Care Partners  Hospice & Palliative Care, 68 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28813, or Pisgah Legal Services, 62 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801.