On May 5th, 1932 at 3:00 a.m. in Natchitoches Parish, LA, God gave a tremendous blessing to Nellie Davis and Marshall Baker, a beautiful baby girl named Mae Pearl Baker. She was one of the eight children that Nellie Hayson gave birth to. The early years were difficult in Natchitoches Parish, having lived through the Great Depression. Nellie met and married Andy Hayson, he decided to move his family to Vallejo, CA.
Mae Pearl or “BillieJo” as she loved being called by her brothers and sisters. Her sons called her Momma, grandchildren called her Grandma, Granny or Nanna.
Mae Pearl professed Christ at an early age at Union Baptist Church in Vallejo, CA. She completed her schooling in the Vallejo Unified School District. Her career started as a Nurse Assistant at Morningside Community Hospital in South Central LA, with quite an achievement she retired from her passion for helping people.
Mae Pearl was a gregarious and personable person, leaving her mark on all she encountered. She brought laughter to the hearts of many. However, her greatest love was her Love of God and her church, True Faith Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Dorsey.
On Friday, March 24th, 2023 at the ripe age of 90, the Lord called our dear beloved Mother, Sister, Auntie, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother to her eternal resting place. She leaves an amazing legacy of an amazing life of service and love for Family. Her cup overflowed!!!!!
She is preceded in death by her husband Howard Davis, they were married for over 40 years and traveled everywhere together; Sister Gladys Allen; brothers Joseph Hayson, Vernis Hayson, and Tommy Curry.
She will surely be missed by her entire family: sons Alonzo E. Neal, Bruce W. Henderson, and Derwin L. Johnson; daughters-in-law Deborah Neal and Sheryl Johnson; Brothers Valentino Hayson, Allen Hayson, Andrew Hayson; sister-in-law Dolores Curry; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
