Mae Lee Birks, 88, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Dallas, TX.  Born Mae Lee Nicholson on May 22, 1934, in Dumas, AR, she was 17 of 18 children shared by George and Nellie Nicholson and the granddaughter of George and Peggy Blue. All 17 siblings preceded her in death including her brothers, Walter Thomas, Norvel Thomas, Louis Nicholson, Claude Nicholson, Obie Nicholson, Leo Nicholson, Al Nicholson, George Nicholson, Hollie Nicholson, Evette Nicholson, Eddie Nicholson and Floyd Nicholson; sisters, Annie Lee Thomas, Annie Mae Nicholson, Juanita Thomas Byrd, Ruby Nicholson Riley, and Jelena Nicholson King. Her son and oldest child, Delbert Lee White, Jr., also preceded her in death on April 10, 2022.

Mae moved with her family from Dumas, AR to Kansas City, MO in 1941, when she was 7 years old. She attended Booker T. Washington Elementary and graduated from R.T. Coles High School in 1953.  Following high school, Mae attended the Historically Black College, Langston University and majored in interior design.

As a young adult, Mae's talents and dedication were muti-faceted. She was studious and extremely bright serving as a student tutor in high school for the boys' basketball team. She was passionate about human equality and participated in sit-ins at downtown businesses during the burgeoning fight for Civil Rights. Mae grew up in a time when Kansas City style of music was vibrant and at the height of its cultural richness.  She lived just a few blocks from the world-renowned 18th and Vine. She loved to swing dance her heart out in halls that hosted Swing and Bebop bands and singers of that time like Frankie Limon, Fats Navarro and Sam Cooke.

Mae married Delbert Lee White October 15, 1955, and to this union three children were born—a son, and two daughters, Delbert, Sharon and Jenell.  On February 27, 1979, Mae married the love of her life, Herman Pleasant Birks. They remained married 33 years until Herman's death September 27, 2011.

Mae was baptized and served as a junior usher at Morning Star Baptist Church. As an adult, she converted to Catholicism and was a member of both the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Louis parishes. Before moving to TX, Mae was a member of the Mother's Board at Concord Fortress of Hope Church--all in Kansas City, MO.

Mae worked for Nokia/Lucent Technologies, formerly known as Western Electric in Lees Summit, MO as a Quality Control Manager for more than 25 years and retired in 1988. She returned to work in 1990, as a Bookkeeper for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City citing her reason for return as uncontained energy, becoming a second time retiree 10 years later without relapse.

Her pride and joy were her six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She never missed Grandparent's Day, big games, competitions, graduations, weddings or any other milestone event. She lived to see her fourth generation and cherished the moments of holding each of her great-grandchildren. Mae was far more than Nana—she was cheerleader, mentor and second-line Mama.

Mae will forever be remembered for her humor, beautiful smile, dancing, laughter, and spirited vibrations that radiate the brightest light. The joy she brought to life will remain with us all.

Mae leaves to mourn her passing, her daughters, Sharon (Darren) Moten of Chattanooga, TN and Jenell Clark of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, MacKenzie White of Denver, CO, Brittanee (Jeff) Clark Williams of Dallas, TX, Elise Brown of New York, NY, Courtney White Miller of Washington, DC, Lea Brown of Atlanta, GA and Roderick (Alexis) Clark, Jr. of Knoxville, TN; great-grandchildren, Jayden Miller, Emory Williams and Zara Clark; cherished friends who never stopped calling and sending love to their beloved sister-friend, Kay Francis Porter, Mattie Mercer, Wilma Mann and Murtha Lewis.

Services for Mrs. Birks were held Monday, June 13, 2022 at E. S. Eley and Sons Funeral Chapel.  Burial Leavenworth National Cemetery. Friends may call 9:00AM until service time at the chapel.

Thoughtful care and services handled by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.