Mae (Rivers) Greenfield

Mrs. Mae Rivers Ward Greenfield was born May 6, 1939, to her proud parents, Mr. and Mrs. Price Ward, Sr. and Mae Willis McLendon Ward, in Dothan, Alabama. She was the fifth child of that blessed union, and they affectionately called her “Baby Rhae”. She was the descendent of the Aaron Ward family lineage.

Mae Rivers departed this life to be with the Lord on August 7, 2025, in her home. She leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father, five loving siblings: three sisters, Emma Christian Ward Pettiford, Anna Lois Ward Berard, and Louise Ward; one brother, Price Ward, Jr. and a sister-in-love, Mildred Maye Ward, and her beloved eldest son, Albert Christopher (“Sput”) Whiting, Sr.

She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at a very young age at Cherry Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she was a faithful servant her entire life. She served as a dedicated member of the Trustee Board, Women’s Missionary Society, the ACE League, the church culinary committee, and the prayer breakfast planning committee. She always served others in the community, and she instilled this same passion and God-fearing spirit of generosity in her family.

Her education was in the public schools of Dothan, Alabama, where she attended East Highland under the care of Mrs. Gussie McMillian, who was also her God mother. Mae Rivers was a proud graduate of Carver High School as a member of the graduating class of 1957. Her university training includes education at Alabama State University, during which time she was chosen as the Miss Alabama State Sophomore Attendant in 1958. She was a talented musician, who loved playing the piano and singing, and she helped instill the love of music in her children and grandchildren. 

She joined in Holy Matrimony with the love of her life, Dr. William Russell Greenfield, Jr., on October 23, 1967. Her career was dedicated to serving the community alongside her husband in his medical practice, where they provided compassionate care to those in need. Their commitment to healthcare transcended the office in Baptist Bottom. She often welcomed patients into the family home, made housecalls, and accompanied him to children’s camps for physicals. During a time of widespread segregation in the medical field, they stood firm together in their belief that healthcare should be accessible to all regardless of their ability to pay. Her impact on the community runs deep, felt in the generations of families she helped bring into the world and in the countless lives she touched through her unwavering care for those most in need. Together, through this union, they raised four beautiful children, the late Albert Christopher (“Sput”) Whiting, Sr., Theolyn Lousie Whiting Miller of Dothan, Alabama, Mae Helaine Whiting Shorter (Bill) of Dothan, Alabama, and William Ward Greenfield (Tiffany) of Little Rock, Arkansas. She also leaves to cherish her memory a very special daughter-in-love, Sherryl Renae Stovall Whiting of Dothan, Alabama; two dear nieces, Delores Ann Grayson (Gerald) of Tallahassee, Florida and Geraldine Booker Coleman (Leroy) of Waco, Texas; and two spiritual sons, Darrell Bernard Barkley of Dothan, Alabama and Gerald Sanders of Boston, Massachusetts.

She leaves a host of family, friends, and loved ones to cherish all the precious memories shared with her. She poured endless love and kindness into her twelve grandchildren who affectionately called her GiGi: Brandon Trawick, Adrienne Nicole Stovall, Lya Reneé Whiting Snell (Eddie), Albert Christopher Whiting, Jr. (Kimberley), the late Ira Emmanuel Simmons, Pierre Jay Jabory Parrish, Jasmine Works (Leonard), Miles Miller IV, Tiffany Gramatzki (Eric), Jason Griggs, Michael Griggs, the late Lisa Greenfield, Victoria Lofton Williams, William Pearson Greenfield, and Alexandria Rivers Greenfield. She also wrapped her loving arms around her great grandchildren: Ceffer Julian, Kelsey Reneé, Kennedy Rhaé, Cali Ali, Kyrie Christopher, Isaiah Jerome, Joshua Jayden, Taylor Matthew, Ethan Riley, Cayden Elijah, Darren, Darian, Joava Jolee, Kaidyn McKenzie, Aria Elise, Kylie Faith, Kaylie Elizabeth, Iman Hassan, Hayden Christopher Michael, Leilani Angela, Kyrie Juelz Germaine, and Jamari Isaiah; her two great-nephews, Coby Coleman of Waco, Texas and Carl Coleman of Raleigh, North Carolina; and her two great-grand nephews Caden Cornelius and Cai Christopher. They all will miss their GiGi dearly and cherish the teachings she instilled through her intergenerational wisdom. To honor her legacy, they will carry the knowledge and love imparted into them to guide them in their ways. 

Mae Rivers was a beacon of light for all who knew her. She was a matriarch in the Bamadale Community, where she mentored, guided, and built close relationships with so many young people and neighbors. She will leave a void in the hearts of several special loved ones: nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, friends, and The Ward Nation. Her memory will be forever held in our hearts.

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