Isamae S. Wilkes Mallett Bowie

The Beginning Isamae, known affectionately to most as “Mae,” was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 22, 1935 to the late William and Mary Wilkes Glenn. Mae's mother began to lose her eyesight, which made it difficult for her to care for her children. As a result, Mae and her four siblings were divided between staying with their mother in Baltimore, MD, and living with extended family in Chester, SC. Mae grew up in inner city Baltimore, along with her two younger brothers. She was baptized and accepted the Lord as her personal savior at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Baltimore at ten years old. As a high school senior at Frederick Douglas High School, she was both a varsity cheerleader and basketball referee with her sights set on attending Morgan State University. It was in high school where Mae developed a love of sports specifically, basketball, baseball, and football. After graduating high school in 1954, Mae attended Morgan State University in Baltimore with the help of her Aunt Essie and a generous scholarship from the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Chapter. This would be the beginning of a long relationship with the sorority. During her last year in college, her Sorors, confident in her leadership ability, elected her Basileus of Gamma Chapter. Mae received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in French in May 1958. A Move to the City After graduating from college, Mae’s Aunt Essie offered her an opportunity to leave Baltimore and helped her move to Chicago, IL to teach. Mae struggled to find a position as a Spanish Teacher, so she subbed until 1963 when she was able to acquire her certification as an elementary school teacher. Mae would go on to have an illustrious career in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for 38 years as an elementary school teacher, Middle School Librarian, Teachers for Chicago mentor, Parent Coordinator, and Assistant to the Principal. After retiring from CPS in 2001, she was heavily recruited to return to the system as a tutor serving at low performing elementary schools around the city which she did for an additional three years. A Lifelong Learner and Ministry Leader A lover of reading, playing sudoku, and a passionate educator, Mae pursued a Master of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Library Science from Chicago State University in 1971. Around this same time, she was on fire for Christ and desired a deeper understanding of her faith which led her to attend Moody Bible Institute and the Chicago Baptist Institute where she received a Certificate in Child Evangelism and a masters degree in Christian Education. In 1975, she took her first ministry assignment as the Director of Christian Education and as the Church Clerk at Morning Star Baptist Church of Chicago. It was there where she flourished in finding her voice as a ministry leader and bible scholar. Throughout her life, Mae would go on to serve in church leadership positions in several church communities: ● Morning Star Baptist Church of Chicago: Director of Christian Education and Church Clerk ● New Progressive Baptist Church: Sunday School Teacher and Director of Christian Education ● Homewood Full Gospel (affectionally known as All Nations Community Church): Children’s Ministry Leader and Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren Small Group Leader (where she served a home cooked meal each week) ● Cornerstone Christian Center: Junior Church Leader and Member of the Counters Ministry ● Freedom Church Ministries: Member of the Hospitality Ministry In addition to attending regular church services, Mae regularly attended and financially supported the following auxiliary faith-based organizations: A Taste of Jesus Ministries, Woman Aglow- Riverdale, and the Women’s Retreat Group of Chicago. Mae also monthly supported various not for-profit organizations including her alma maters: Feed the Children, Charles Stanley Ministries, St. Jude, Fredrick Douglas High School, and Morgan State University. A Mother to Many Isamae was a selfless lover of family. She would often send gifts and financial assistance to her nieces and nephews as a display of love. Mae married Stanley W. Mallett on July 9, 1967. From this union, Mary Ann was born in April 1971. Mary Ann was the apple of her parents' eyes with the nickname, “Precious”. Since education was important to Mae, she made sure Mary Ann was educated at the best schools, and regularly exposed to the fine arts. She insisted that Mary Ann learned to swim at an early age ( 6 mos), join the band and orchestra becoming a principal flutist, while developing a love for the Lord. Mae would later marry Eddie Bowie in November 1983 which led the couple to reside in Crete, IL. Mae’s love for children opened up her heart and home to have many godchildren, nieces, and nephews who, at times, needed respite in her home. In August 1994, Mary Ann gave birth to Mae’s only grandchild, Elesha. This would become one of her favorite assignments in life. Mae delighted in her close relationship with Elesha, taking her and her friends roller skating, to plays, restaurants, and bowling. She would pick Elesha up from school, and help her with her homework. Mae took much pride in having a grandchild by keeping Elesha close and taking her to church and “of course” the shopping mall. During the last seven years of her life, Elesha was entrusted as her primary caregiver. A Dedicated Friend to Many In the late eighties, Mae met the person who would become her lifelong best friend, Marie Williams, at New Progressive Baptist Church. Mae and Marie were prayer partners, traveling buddies, and quickly became as close as sisters sharing holidays, birthdays, and other important occasions. Throughout her adult life, Mae built strong friendships with many other people too: Ernestine Dobbins, Janie Blanchard, Thelma Leftwich, Delores Moore, Edna Hill, Loretta Johnson, Mardella Alexander, Loretta Lymore, Marian Martin, Irene Gaiter, Ellen Bowie, Dr. and Mrs. Cirn (her neighbors in Crete, IL for nearly 25 years), and a host of others. With friends and family, Mae shared her love of seeing the world. She was an avid collector of lighthouses, dolls, purses, shoes, and baskets from around the world. She was fortunate to visit dozens of countries and to see every corner of the United States. Some of Mae’s international travels included Africa, Europe, Israel (where she was baptized in the Jordan River in 1995), throughout the Caribbean on numerous cruises, and to Canada. At 77 years old, Mae took her final trip overseas to Asia. In 2021, Mae chose to downsize her lifestyle and move into Clarendale-Schererville (later renamed StoryPoint) Retirement Community - a place she loved and called home. With a spacious apartment, many friends, a consistent weekly bible study, local trips, art and exercise classes, Mae was able to continue her active lifestyle in Schererville, IN. She served on the Resident Council and as a Floor Ambassador welcoming new neighbors to the building. While at StoryPoint, Mae met Presiding Elder Emeritus Carrell Cargle, Sr. The two enjoyed spending time with each other watching Wheel of Fortune, the news, discussing politics, and sharing meals together. Carrell escorted Mae to church, at times, and to special events. The pair enjoyed frequent dates (chaperoned by “their granddaughter,” Elesha as neither drove anymore). Until the day of her passing, Carrell loved and supported Mae. From Labor to Reward: A life well-lived Mae passed away peacefully the morning of Sunday, July 28, 2024 during the time she would typically have had quiet time with the Lord. Isamae leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Mary Ann and one granddaughter, Elesha; one sister, Helen Pegues (Ray) of Oxen, MD and one brother, Jerry “Tom” Glenn of Valley Lee, MD; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, professional colleagues, former students, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents William Glenn and Mary Wilkes; her five brothers, William Glenn ‘WG’ Wilkes, Steven Charles Wilkes, Dexter Leon Wilkes, James “Edward” Glenn, and Stanley Glenn; three sisters, Hazel Wilkes, Gladys Glenn, and Dorothy Glenn-Currie. Mary Ann and Elesha would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and residents at StoryPoint (formerly Clarendale) and Hospice of Calumet for their compassionate care and love for Mae. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore I hope in Him. Lamentations 3:22-24

Tributes

Isamae S. Wilkes Mallett Bowie

July 22, 1935 - July 28, 2024