Lela Mae Henderson McMinn, age 81, of Water Valley, MS went to her heavenly home on November 30, 2012 at her lifetime home surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 8, 1931 to the late Henry and Lora McCain Henderson. Lela Mae was the eldest of their children and started her pattern of "mothering" when her brother Henry "Buddy" and sister Frances were born, even though she was only a few years older than both of them. When she was 16, her family's finances forced her to get a job. She went to work at RiceStix which later became the Big Yank Corporation, until her retirement in 1993. During her many years there she forged relationships that have endured over time. During this time she started baking cakes. This was a pastime started in her childhood, when instead of making mud pies, she made mud cakes. Then, she took the extra step to make mud icing, which she said took her a while, since she had to make it just the right consistency. Lela Mae loved everyone and was in her element when she thought she could do something to help. When something happened within her church or community and she knew of the need, she would always say, "What do you need me to do?" She loved to work in the yard and would gladly share her flowers with anyone who came to visit. She and her "bestest" friend, Mary Alice Hayles tried to solve every problem in the world with their daily telephone conversations. She was a devoted fan of the Water Valley Blue Devils football team. Several times before the end of the season, she and her daughter made cupcakes for the entire team. She was very proud of each of the young men and wanted them to know they were loved and respected for working so hard to make Water Valley proud. She especially loved the away games because she enjoyed riding, looking at the scenery, and making characters out of the clouds. She was a very humble, loving person. Lela Mae was known to her children as "Mama", her grandchildren as "Granny"; her church family as Miss Lela Mae"; her customers, all the above as well as the "Cake Lady". Everyone who ever met her was treated to her beautiful smile and loving hugs and kisses. She was a member of Camp Ground Baptist Church for many years and became a charter member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church which was organized in "Miss Lela Mae's bakery". She loved being a part of her church right up to the end of her life.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, December 3, 2012 at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Camp Ground Cemetery with Sonny Meek, Trey Meek, Webb Cox, Les Gilley, Chris Folgman and John Waldrop serving as pallbearers. Kye Gilley, Cody Gilley, Jay Folgman, Joseph Cox and Lathan Folgman will serve as honorary pallbearers.
She is survived by her daughters, Pam Meek (James Tribble) and Judy Whitten both of Water Valley, MS; her sons, Ray McMinn (Joy) of Sturgis, MS and Clay McMinn of Water Valley, MS; five grandchildren, Trina Meek Cox of Charleston, MS, Misty Rogers Gilley of Water Valley, MS, Trey Meek of Southaven, MS, Kristy McMinn Folgman of Monroe, GA and Amber McMinn King of Starkville, MS; six great grandsons, one great grandaughter and one great-great grandson; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Woodland Hills Baptist Church of Water Valley, MS.