Charlie Mae Bunch

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.  -Stephen Grellet (Ex Libris: Mae Bunch, Boston College ’74)

Charlie “Mae” Bunch, 70, made her heavenly transition on the morning of January 8, 2023 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Born April 8, 1952 in Hayneville, Alabama to the late Mr. Charlie Bunch and the late Ms. Sadie Mae Noble Bunch, she was the second of 8 children.  At the young age of 11, she accompanied her Mother in the historic Selma to Montgomery Freedom March of 1963, and years later, the March on Washington in 1983. Her mother insisted that Mae become the first of 15 Black children to integrate Hayneville High School consisting of over 300 White students.  She was the first of the Bunch children to attend college at the age of 16. In June of 1974 she received her B.A. in Education from Boston College, graduating Cum Laude, and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Boston University in May of 1975.  Mae was an active participant in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, The Black Student Forum, the NAACP, RI Black Heritage Society, the RI Counselors Association and much more.  Mae wrote several articles, two of which were published in Ebony Magazine, Jet Magazine among others.

She placed a premium on her happiness and was devoted to ensuring the happiness of others while being of service to others.  Mae worked as an educator first and a counselor second. She chose to make a difference by developing programs for young adults with the OIC and The Department of Children, Youth, and Family Services of Rhode Island and The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

In 1994 Mae joined Allen AME Church in Providence. She committed herself to the Lord’s work where she diligently served for 29 years and served on numerous auxiliaries. Utilizing her educational background she began as a member of the Christian Education Board. Soon after she became the Vice Chairperson of the Steward Board where she became a representative at many District Conference meetings. She served as the Church School Superintendent for 10 years and was serving as the Junior-Intermediate Class teacher. Mae was President of the Lay Organization from 2009-2021. She was currently serving as the Corresponding Secretary of the New England Conference Lay Organization and was recently appointed to serve as the 2nd Vice President of the New England Conference Women's Missionary Society.

Whether in the finance room, changing the scripture on the outside display, or representing the First Episcopal District at the 2016 and 2021 Global General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mae was always willing and able to work for the Lord.

Mae Bunch leaves to cherish her memories, her loving daughter Markeeta Bunch of Boston, MA; her siblings: Jessie Mae Fisher, and Dianne Barney (Arthur) of Hayneville, AL; Patricia Davis (Frank) of New Jersey; Dan Bunch (Maribel), Charles Bunch, Bessie Ann Bunch-James, Rannie Lee Bunch, and the late Will Lee Bunch all of Boston, MA. A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and sisters and brothers in Christ.

On Zoom

ttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89625416459?pwd=LzU0ekFheW9obDdtMEJkeFhCTzFaQT09

Meeting ID: 896 2541 6459, Passcode: 750192
Mobile:  305-224-1968  or 309-205-3325

Letters of Condolences can be sent to:  allenamechurchprovidence@gmail.com

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