Mary Ellen Almo

Mary Ellen Almo affectionately known as Bae Mae, was born November 24, 1938 to Elizabeth Fry Brown. She was the second of six children with her brother Oliver Earl Fry and her mother preceding her in death.

Mary  received her education at Vaughan Station Grammar School and Linwood High School in Mississippi. She acknowledged Christ at an early age at New Zion Baptist Church, also in Mississippi.

Mary  married her childhood sweetheart Willie L. Almo on December 1, 1955. To this union was born one daughter, Gloria Dian Almo, who preceded her in death. The couple moved to Kankakee, Illinois and later to the Westside of Chicago. The family eventually moved and bought a home on the Southside of Chicago in Morgan Park where they raised their family. Mary was employed by Alden’s Mail Order Company, Folding Guard Company and later Joanna Western Mills until her retirement when she left to take care of her husband who became ill.

Mary  believed God for her every need and joined Greater Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago under the leadership of Rev. H.Y. Lindsey. During the late ‘80s, Mary joined Family Harvest Church of Tinley Park under the leadership of Pastor Robb Thompson. Mary was a devoted Christian and attended church regularly, including Wednesday’s Intercessory Prayer, seminars, workshops and special speaker events. She loved the Lord and wanted her entire family to be saved. She had no problem inviting you to go to church and shared her love of the Word with everyone. Everyday she would text a bible passage to her great grandson, Kapre, to encourage him to read the bible regularly as well. She read her bible daily and kept it with her at home, in the car or on vacation. She kept her radio and televisions on religious stations. She was particularly fond of Kenneth Copeland Ministries where she was a partner for 40 plus years. She even inspired her grandson Ashtin to become a second generation partner as well. Mary was extremely generous with contributions to charitable programs that promoted the spread of God’s word and the empowering of people of color. Her goal was to share Christ with everyone she knew.

Mary  departed this life on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 to be with her Heavenly Father. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Willie L. Almo; her only daughter, Gloria Dian Davis and grandson, Jonathan Davis.

Mary  leaves to cherish her memory her loving grandson, Ashtin Melchor(Yadira); one granddaughter, Crystal Davis; one son-in-law, Johnnie Davis; two great grandsons, Kapre Melchor and Ace Melchor; three brothers, Frizell Williams of San Bernadino CA, Percy Fry(Fannie) and Thomas Frye of Chicago; six sisters, Thadarean Swanson (William), Lucinda Redmond(Leroy), Mollie Moore, Rilla Jefferson, Helen Williams and Carolyn Hall(Michael); one step-sister, Maxine Harris; four sisters-in-love, Nancy Fry, Lucille Hicks, Bessie G. Almo, Mary J. Swan; five brothers-in-love, John Almo, Thomas Almo, Jr., Joseph Almo, James Almo and Lee Almo. There are a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that are too many to name but all will miss her smile and her way.

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