I am Willie Mae Ladson. I was born Willie Mae Harris in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 11, 1924, to the late John Wesley Harris and Eva Mae Whiting-Harris. I was the first born of eleven children, and received Christ at an early age on the mourner's bench and was baptized at Morning Glory Baptist Church in Gloucester, Virginia. My father was in construction and the family moved a lot between Philadelphia and Virginia. I graduated from West Philadelphia High School. After graduation, I worked in Virginia at the Fort Eustis Army Base and contributed to our country and family home in Gloucester, Virginia. My sons, Theodore and James were born in Gloucester. Eventually, I wanted to move back to Philadelphia and take up roots there. I resided at our family home on 43rd Street. I found a very nice church called Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church. I used my singing skills to serve in ministry and joined the Senior Choir under the leadership of Samuel R. Cosby Jr.. While in choir, I met and befriended my soon to be sister-in-law, the late Florence Collins. She would eventually introduce me to her brother, McKinley Ladson and love bloomed. We married in 1954 and purchased our home at 812 N. 46 Street. Our family grew by one more when Billy was born in 1958. My home was always one where my family was welcome, and I have had sisters and brothers who lived in my  home at different crossroads of their lives. I was a hustler and hard worker and had little tolerance for laziness. I would often tell my boys they must have a "J.O.B.". I always worked. I also volunteered most of my adult life as an election official. Also, I was a Notary Public. I was a seamstress at Joseph H. Cohen and Sons on Broad and Lehigh Ave in Philly, and then a policy writer for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co. While working, I still made it a priority to be involved with family and ministry at Mt. Olivet. I was part of several ministries and was president of the fund raising Sunshine Club, and gave the weekly morning announcements every Sunday. I left the insurance business to become the full-time church clerk. I was also on the trustee board. One day, the late Senator Freeman Hankins and Pastor Shephard asked me if I would be interested in working for the Philadelphia Housing Authority. That led to a job where I was quickly elevated to the manager of Paschal Homes. I retired from PHA after serving as Manager of Germantown House. I loved to travel and would never turn down a nice cruise. I adored Alaska and the Caribbean. In my spare time, I loved gardening, singing and cooking. My hat designs, carnations and pound cakes were highly desired. Sorry to disappoint my fans, but I am taking my recipe with me! Mack's health failed and he went home to be with the Lord in 1989. I always had my boys and I never knew what it was like to shovel snow because they were always there when I needed them. I got a chance to enjoy some quiet time for about a minute until Billy moved back home with my two youngest grands, Brandon and Alaina, who were always around my feet. I would eventually help raise them to their teen years. Theodore returned home as well to recover successfully with much prayer from Cancer. The house was full again. After managing to get Theodore and Billy married off again. I was not to be alone for long. James returned home after a long stay in California  and did some much needed remodeling of the house. I looked forward to his signature scrambled eggs in the morning and he did my shopping for me. To give James a break, I spent a few weeks with my sister Tina in Virginia. I also stayed a while in New Jersey with Bill and Angie. All of my family are so loving and I never missed a reunion event, celebration, party or wedding. Many have gone on before me. I am the last of my Mt. Olivet peers. I am soon to be in a grand reunion with my parents and my siblings Arthur, John, Raymond, Edward and Juanita. I leave to cherish my memories, my loving sons Theodore Harris and wife Cassie, James Robinson of Philadelphia, and Billy Ladson and wife Angela of Cedarbrook, NJ. I know I will be fondly remembered by my grandchildren Timeika Palmer, Theodore Harris Jr., Denise Bigelow, Denean Banks, Jessica Jenkins, Brandon Ladson and Alaina Thompson. From my grands I have 21 Great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren. Finally, my blessings and love for my three remaining sisters, Carrie Saunders and Harold of Philadelphia, Sereda Aston and Ken of Middletown, DE, and Celestine of Gloucester, Va. and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. To all my friends and family in attendance, there is another grand reunion coming for each of us in Heaven if you embrace our loving Lord and Savior as I have. I am just on the other side of the door in paradise where everyday is a beautiful day. There is no crying, pain or suffering. You should see what I am seeing! I leave you with this passage from the Holy Bible. John 3:16-17 16 "For God so loved the world, [a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.