Maedell Frances Rivers

Maedell Frances Penman was born on November 30, 1926 to John Henry and Agatha Penman in Stanford, Kentucky. Maedell attended school at Stanford Elementary School and Lincoln County High School. Maedell was united in holy matrimony with Frank L. Norman on March 31, 1946. Maedell and Frank welcomed five beautiful children, Frank Jr., Phyllis, Joyce, Wayne, and Clydette. Two sons, Ervin Wendel Norman and Ray Anthony Norman preceded her in death. Maedell started her Christin way of life as a young child. She joined the house of God Temple #1 in Lexington, KY under the pastorship of Bishop S.P. Rawlings. After many years living in Lexington, KY the family moved to Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit she joined The House of God Temple #2 under the pastorship of Bishop William Denson. Maedell was a member of the "The Twelve Sisters" women's auxiliary, she had a special lifelong friendship with Sister Ruth Blalock-Kinley who became Clydette's godmother, Sister Nellie Alexander, and Sister Ruth Calloway. The Normans, Alexander and Calloway kids all grew up together and formed a lifelong bond.

In later years, Maedell married Robert Lee Rivers and moved back to Kentucky, until Lee's death in 2006. Maedell became a member of Allen Chapel AME Church of Moreland, KY under the pastorship of our beloved uncle, the late Rev. Everhart Walker, and later Pastor Vonda Bright. She enjoyed the services and loved the members of the church with all her heart. Maedell also enjoyed bible study and talking about the Lord. She raised her children to walk in God's light, to study the word of God and apply it to your daily life. If you had a conversation with Mae that lasted for at least five minutes, she would end up talking about the goodness of the Lord, and her testimony in church would end up a sermon. Her worship and praise were infectious, you could not sit still watching the manifestation of the Holy Spirit all over her.

Maedell had a style and fashion sense that reflected her pride and dignity. She never went anywhere without being well groomed and immaculately dressed. She often attended social functions and would be the best dressed woman in the room. She would often check her kids before they went our and say, "You never go out looking like anything. You should be well groomed and well-dressed at all times. Carry yourself with dignity and grace." She had love of all things beautiful and became a great collector of antiques, depression glass, salt & pepper shakers, thimbles, teapots, bells and had a doll collection that numbered over two thousand.

Maedell moved back to Detroit and reunited with the love of her life, Frank, and became a caregiver to him as his health was failing him. Maedell enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles to pass the time during the long Michigan winters. After the death of her beloved Frank in 2009, Maedell went to live in Oklahoma City with her middle child, Joyce, for the next seven years. She instantlty bonded with Joyce's friends and Eastern Star chapter. She volunteered for many community service projects and fundraisers. She was bestowed the honor of "Volunteer of the Year" and was made an honorary member of R.T. Jackson Military Chapter #148 Order of the Eastern Star.

Maedell had the opportunity to travel and enjoyed traveling to Tulsa, San Antonio, New Orleans, Atlanta, Myrtle Beach, Memphis, and Dallas, TX. As her health began to fail her, Maedell moved back to Detroit, MI and was able to spend summer in Danville with Clydette. When she was no longer able to travel and her health began to fail, she was cared for by her daughter, Phyllis, along with her son, Wayne, whenever he was needed.

Our hearts broke on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 7:55 PM and called mother from her earthly labors to her heavenly reward. Maedell was preceded in death by her parents John and Agatha Penman; her siblings, Cecil Penman, Clyde Penman, Charles Penman, John-Thomas Penman, Kenneth Penman, Margaret Penman, and Flora Overstreet. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Mrs. Barbara Walker; her children, Frank L. Norman Jr. (Connie), Mrs. Phyllis D. Mackey (Darrius), Mrs. Joyce E. Hardin (William), Wayne D. Norman (Mary), and Mrs. Clydette R. Harris (Fred), eleven grandchildren, a host of great-grands, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM on Monday, September 26, 2022 at St. James AME Church in Danville with Rev. Ralph Smith officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 25 at Preston Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jerome Barnes, Darrius Mackey, Jackie Coffee, Jonas Harris, Illaya Norman and Richard Caldwell.

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