Ms. Mae Anna "Blondie" Bender was born on December 29, 1941, in Paulding, Mississippi, and peacefully departed this life on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Estelle Bender; her cherished daughter, Vanessa Bender; and her four brothers, Ulton Bridges, Earnest Bridges, Robert Bender, and Sammy Bender; she is also reunited in rest with her six sisters, Carrie Broomfield, Addie Simmons, Hattie Tate, Mattie McCormick, Thelma Gavin, and Velma Beavers; as well as her beloved grandchildren, Tamara L. Itson and J'son Pitts.

Mae Anna accepted Christ at a young age and began her faith journey at Rocky Mount Baptist Church. After moving to Gastonia, North Carolina, she joined St. John Missionary Church, where she faithfully served in various roles including trustee, usher, kitchen cook, and choir member. Upon returning to Laurel, Mississippi, she became a member of Koinonia Baptist Church and contributed her time to the kitchen committee. Later in life, she relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she joined Mount Calvary Holy Church. There, she fulfilled her role as a Mother of the Church and served on the Pastor's Aide Committee with dedication.

Mae Anna was a dedicated and hardworking employee, no matter the role she held. Over the years, she worked at Parkdale Cotton Mill, Sara Lee/Bally, and Burlington. In Laurel, Mississippi, she served as a Foster Grandparent in the Jones County School District. However, her favorite job was being a crossing guard for the Gaston County School District. Both students and parents could always count on being greeted by her warm and radiant smile as they approached the school. Her cheerful presence earned her the affectionate nickname, "Smiley", from everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She is lovingly remembered by her four daughters, Pauline Elliott of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Belinda Bender of Laurel, Mississippi, Melissa (Paul) Pagan of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Armanda L. Itson of Gastonia, North Carolina; her brother, William Bender of Paulding, Mississippi; three sisters, Ola Mae Tatum and Mildred Mae Carmichael of Laurel, Mississippi, and Lou Bertha Bender of Charlotte, North Carolina; her legacy continues through a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews; a special friend, Mr. Earnest Smith; other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to her granddaughters, Amerial (Luwis Lee) Glenn-Lumsdun who lovingly cared for her during her hospice care at home and in the hospital and Leah Brown.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Friday, September 27, 2024 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Mt. Calvary Holy Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Gur Cemetery, Kernersville, NC. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm on Saturday at the Church.