On June 5, 1935 the world rejoiced and the angels in Heaven cried when Hautie Mae Greer Pounders was born. Because of the way Hautie Mae lived her life, the angels rejoiced and the world cried on November 9, 2015, when Hautie Mae Pounders died. She was a member of the church of Christ and worshiped at Kilburn Church and Mars Hill Church. Her life was a living example of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31.
Her parents were Edison and Freda Greer. Edison died when Hautie Mae was only five years old. Freda raised her daughter alone until 1946 when she married John Whitehead. A sister, Linda, joined the family a year later.
At the young age of 16, Hautie Mae married Donald Maurice Pounders on February 1, 1952. In 1956, a son Danny was born and in 1960 another son, Andy, was born. Hautie Mae stayed home and loved those boys and cherished the time of being a Mother. When the boys started to school, Hautie Mae went to work as a seamstress first at Genesco then later at Tee Jays. She helped her husband and sons when they poured and tied fish bait that they sold. She also developed the reputation of being a great cook and hostess. Being the caring and loving person she was, she opened her home and cared for her mother’s sister Catherine Wiley until she died. Then in retirement, she and Maurice took to the road in their motor home. Bluegrass music festivals and fishing camps became their temporary home. Again and again, Hautie showed how much she cared with kindness, favors and love for their many camping friends. Along the way, she demonstrated a talent for many crafts and crocheting afghans for friends and family gave her great joy. Many newlyweds from their home congregation, Mars Hill church of Christ, received a much anticipated afghan to adorn their new homes.
In her mid-40’s Hautie was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. But that didn’t stop her from enjoying life and those around her. She dealt with that deteriorating disease without complaining of its pain or the disfiguration.
In her mid-70’s the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was a sad realization of the frailty of life and the certainty of death. She was able to stay in her own home with the help of caregivers until 6 months before her death. Her last months were made safe and peaceful by the wonderful and loving caregivers at Lauderdale Christian Nursing Home. Special attention from Gentevia Hospice workers made this time easier for Hautie and her family.
Many people including cousins and in-laws will cherish the happy memories of Hautie. Her immediate family include her sister, husband, two sons, a daughter –in-law, Beth Anne and her pride and joy, Rachel, her only grandchild. Rachel was born late in Hautie’s life and she lived to show her how precious and special a little girl is to a grandmother.
The family would like to invite friends and family to join them for a time of sharing their memories about Hautie at Greenview Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on November 11, 2015. A memorial celebration service will be held at the chapel at 2:00 p.m. The burial will be a private family service at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Alabama Christian Children’s Home or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Hautie Mae’s memory.
