Willimae Evelyn Redd, 89, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in her son’s New Jersey home on October 30, 2026. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother,great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, and her presence will be deeply missed.

Willimae was born to Cora Anderson Hill and Robert West Jr in Farmville, Virginia on March 9, 1937.
Raised in Farmville, she graduated from the historically black Robert Moton High School in 1956 located in Prince Edward County. After graduation she moved to Philadelphia, PA and married her hometown sweetheart, Arthur Redd, Sr, on June 30, 1957. Together, they began their family, raising two sons.Although her desire was to have 26 children of her own (one for each letter of the alphabet), she settled on two.

Williamae worked at the 30 th street Philadelphia Post Office in the cafeteria for several years, then she
worked in her home as a babysitter for friends and family. Wherever she traveled, the children traveled too, and on the block in Philadelphia, everybody loved “Ms. Mae”! Later she worked for Alfred Angelo as a seamstress for 19 years and was a member of the Ladies International Garment Industry union.

Throughout the years, Mae loved to play cards, Spades, 500, May-I, and if she didn’t win, watch out,
because she wanted a rematch! She enjoyed 1000-piece puzzles, reading, board games, gardening, taking pictures and spending time with friends and family. Mae appreciated the little things in life, from a cool summer’s night to the last crumb leftover from dinner, she loved it all. Her eyes lit up when she saw her loved ones, and her delight was infectious at every gathering.

Mae loved everything about Farmville, especially her home which she affectionately called “The White
House”. Most summers, she would open her home for anyone to stop by for food and fellowship. She
looked forward to entertaining her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings and a countless number of friends who waved and came inside. If you were lucky enough to make it for breakfast, you were sure to get a plate of fried apples, bacon, potatoes, eggs and squash. Mae especially loved the fall season when she would make a special trip to Farmville to harvest walnuts and garden vegetables. Additionally, she never missed a chance to clean and prepare game after Joe and Mack came back from fishing or hunting (i.e. deer, rabbit, squirrel). As a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church, where Mae was baptized, she attended the revivals and worshiped the Lord. Mae’s hospitality and lively spirit will be missed by so many.

She’s gone from our sight, but her enthusiasm, joy, and love will live on in our hearts. Willimae was preceded in death by her husband-Arthur Redd Sr, mother-Cora Anderson Hill, brother-Norman Hill, sister-Mildred Moore, sister-Vivian Vaughn, beloved niece-Linda Moore, beloved nephew-Tony Hines, beloved nephew-George Franklin Hines and beloved nephew-Robert West.

She is survived by her son-Arthur Redd Jr. (Cheryl), son-Bernard Redd (Elizabeth), brother-(Joe) Winfred
Bernard West (Carolyn), granddaughter-Kelsey Reynolds (David), granddaughter-Linda Redd (Dominique),
granddaughter-Taylor Redd, granddaughter-Brianna Mallette (Zachary), great granddaughter-Evelyn
Reynolds, great grandson-Lucas Reynolds, niece-Gwyn Ashmore, niece-Karen Urie-West (Kate), niece-
Wanda Poole (Edward), niece-Marjorie Haskins, niece-Karen Stokes, nephew-Carlton Redd (Adrienne),
nephew-Alex Hines (Jean) and a host of other loving nieces, nephews and friends.