Willie Mae Lavender, 94 passed away, Friday, February 22, 2013 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS. Visitation for Mrs. Lavender will be Tuesday, February 26, 2013 from 12 – 2 PM at Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. Funeral Services will follow at 2 PM with Bro. Sammy Crawford officiating and Lowndes Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Lavender was born November 8, 1918 to the late John Thomas and Jessie Edith Ray Murphy in Columbus, MS where she lived most of her life. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church and a homemaker. Mrs. Lavender enjoyed quilting with her mother and friends. She liked working in her yard and was a great cook. Mrs. Lavender was a independent, self-supportive, free giving person. She was a loving dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lavender was preceded in death by her husband Augustus Lafayette "Gus" Lavender, brothers –Ray Murphy and J.T. Murphy. Mrs. Lavender is survived by her children – Mary (Eugene) Huckaby, Columbus, MS, Shirley (Lew) Cornelius, Columbus, MS, Margie (Mickey) Fromm, Columbus, MS, Paul (Lynn) Lavender, Columbus, MS, Jerry (Beth) Lavender, Columbus, MS, Mike (Marilyn) Lavender, Columbus, MS, and a step daughter Martha (Phil) McGeoch, Ashville, NC ,16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be her 16 grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eugene Huckaby, Lew Cornelius, Mickey Fromm, her 24 great-grandchildren, the Staff of Trinity Healthcare, Dr. James Woodard and the Staff and Doctors of Baptist Memorial Hospital. Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702 or charity of donor's choice.