Willye Mae Upshaw-Chandler, 89, a native of a Long County and a former resident of Waycross, Ga. (1972-1995), was presently residing in Wayne County when she passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup, Ga. Willye Mae was born on February 28, 1935 to the late, Willie Thomas and Maggie Geraldine Browder-Williams in Ludowici, Ga. She was educated in Long County and prided herself as being a Master Cook and Southern Chef who was also a Licensed Master Cosmetologist who loved ministering through Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall. She also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Willye Mae enjoyed music and dancing, but nowhere near as much as spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving, kind person that loved people. Her personality was that of one who never met a stranger.

Willye Mae was preceded in death by both parents, Willie and Maggie Williams; her husband, Malachi Chandler; her children, Eric Norman, Gloria Norman-Boone and Shorrie Lorraine Norman; her siblings, Opal Lee Johnson, Clonza Lee Williams, Willie Thomas Williams, Jr. and Thurman Sharpe.

Those left to cherish her memory: her loving children, Pamela Williams (Jerry) James, Waycross, Ga., Patricia (Geoffrey) Gelly, Savannah, Ga., Christopher V. (Von) Norman, Janie Norman (James) Carter and Lydia Norman, all of Jesup, Ga., Jon Byron (Allison) Norman, Statesboro, Ga. and Francane Norman-Burton of Ridgeville, South Carolina; one brother, Clinton B. Williams, Sarasota, Fl.; her grandchildren: Contenia Baker-White, Warren T. Baker, Jr., Angela Bellamy, Brooks Smith, Elekia James, Chrissa James, Syntearia Norman, Lencola Norman, Leandra Moccaldi, Eriq Norman, Shorrie Norman, Patrice Williams, Elexus Guyton, Jay Guyton, James C. Norman, Jazmin Norman, John Bryon Norman Jr.; a host of great-grands, Eddie Green, Jr. and Taneyah Green; great-great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, a special niece, Kizzie (Ernest) Spearman, and a host of friends who will miss her dearly.

Remains will lie in state for the general public viewing one hour prior to services on Saturday (From 11:30 am until 12:30 pm for the general public).

*Please respect the family’s wishes for a “private service” meaning immediate family members ONLY.

A private family funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 @ 1:00 pm at Royal Funeral Home Chapel, 247 W. Pine Street, Jesup, Ga. 32545

Services will be live streamed thru our website: royalfuneralhome.com

Interment will be in Macedonia Cemetery, Ludowici, Ga.