Rocky Mount -

On Sunday, February 13, 2022, Mae Ezzell Joyner, finished her journey here on earth on what was her 87th birthday. Mae's story began in Edgecombe County on February 13, 1935 as a daughter born to Lewis and Mamie Mears Ezzell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J.T. Joyner; sisters, Sudie Virginia Ezzell, Annie Laurie "Sister" Dickerson, Mamie "Louise" Moore, and Billie Opal Holder; and brothers, Roger, Earl, Jesse "Buddy", Joseph "Joe Boy", Edwin "Bull", Jesse Wayne "Buddy Boy" and Luther "Pat" Ezzell.

Mae leaves a lifetime of treasured memories for her beloved daughter, Jeannie Jackson and her husband, Michael of Rocky Mount; sister, Betty Jean "Jeannie" Ruffin and her husband, Mack of Rocky Mount; sister-in-law, Karen Ezzell of Rocky Mount; along with many nieces, nephews, family friends, and other extended relatives.

Mae grew up in Edgecombe County and attended West Edgecombe High School where she played basketball and graduated in 1953. Oakdale Baptist Church was her long-time "church home" and where she felt her family roots, even in the very land upon which it stands.  She was an honest, hard-working woman who, at the age of fifty-eight years, returned to school and earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate. Helping and caring for others came naturally for Mae. She worked as a home health and private CNA well into her early 80s, finally retiring to slow down in 2018. Before that, she worked for Rocky Mount Undergarment for over twenty-five years where she made many lasting friendships.

She never knew a stranger and most who met her never forgot her. She was known for the honest way she "told it like it was" and rarely kept her thoughts to herself.  Mae was affectionately known as a "little woman with a big mouth" and even bigger heart. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Mae's family will host a private memorial service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations in Mae's memory to Samaritan's Purse  PO Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607 -OR- online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/