Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Funeral Service
September 12, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Union Missionary Baptist Church
209 Jackson Street, Waterloo, IA
Visitation
September 12, 2026
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Union Missionary Baptist Church
209 Jackson Street, Waterloo, IA
Mathie “Ms. Mae” has left this foreign land and entered her permanent home on August 26, 2026.
Ms. Mae was born on March 20, 1944, in Sallis, Mississippi where she was raised by her parents, Doster and Willie Mae (Wise) Phillips.
In 1963, Mathie married R.L. Greer and through their union had three daughters, they later separated. In 1965, Mathie left Mississippi and relocated to Waterloo, IA where she met Charlie Marby and through that relationship three sons were born.
In 1978, Ms. Mae earned her GED, and in 1980, she began working as an inspector for John Deere. After her time there ended, she devoted herself to caring for her seven children. As her children grew older, she returned to work as a school bus driver for Waterloo Community Schools, where she worked for more than 20 years before retiring in 2020.
Ms. Mae was a woman of God and a member of Palestine Chapter #28 of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron of her local chapter. She was also one of the founding members of Singles for Christ through her home church, Savior Missionary Baptist Church. Through her dedicated involvement with Singles for Christ, the God-inspired idea for Feed the Community was born. An avid cook, Ms. Mae became the guiding chef for the community meals, helping serve as many as 500 people at one gathering.
Bold and loving, Ms. Mae spoke her mind with care and conviction. She was an amazing mother, a gifted cook, a trusted friend and confidant, a mentor, and a source of encouragement and comfort to many. She welcomed those in need, shared her wisdom generously, and touched countless lives throughout her journey.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two grandsons, Antwaun D. Greer and Rasi M. Gary; one great-granddaughter, Ariel Phillips; two sisters, Dorothy D. Evans and Zella M. Harmon; three brothers, Luther J. Phillips, Dotson L. Phillips, and Lary J. Phillip; and sons she earned through love, Sherman Wise and Luther “Nick” Phillips.
Ms. Mae leaves her lasting marks and legacy to four daughters, Linda J. Phillips, Vicky A. Jordan, Dorothy D. Gary, and Antonette Greer, all of Waterloo; three sons, Antonio Greer of Waterloo, Patrick G. Greer, and Shun L. Greer, both of Sioux Falls, SD; three sisters, Margaret B. Coffee, Joe Betty Snow, both of Sallis, MS, and Hattie L. Riley of Durant, MS; four brothers, Willie Phillips of Oelwein, Johnnie L. Phillips of Durant, MS, Johnston Phillips and Euguene Phillips both of Waterloo; one great-uncle, Herman Wise, Sr. of Waterloo; sixteen grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply – Genesis 1:28.
Homegoing Service: Family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Union Missionary Baptist Church, Waterloo. Homegoing Service at 11:00 a.m. with burial following at Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Lock at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.
my condolence goes out to the family just made you truly will be missed ā¤ļøš
Aunt Mae I love you and will miss you forever..
Dear Mom just to let you know that I’m okay and I know you are doing just fine I love will never in my life thought you was leaving so soon I’m going make you proud of me love you š much
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We love you Ms. Mae, thank you for all the years you dedicated to serving our children and making sure they were safe. They sure don’t make them like you anymore. Take your rest. Prayers to the family. Argyle & Franklin Stā¤ļø
My sincere condolences to the Family we all grew up together same street and Neighbor hood Mrs Mae is now resting in Jesus arms may she rest well to the family weeping may endure for a night but Joy surely comes in the morning and thatās wat she had joy šš¾
There will only be one Miss Mae. I had the privilege of driving a school bus with her and she always called me Beck and her mechanic. She was fierce, strict, loving and true friend. I am glad you are at peace and I love you always.
To my family she was the pillar of the Wise/Phillips gatherings . I love y’all I will out of town during her home going, but I pray for comfort for you all. Love y’all
To the family of my Mae Greer, she was like a second mom to me cause I stayed at her house. I ate good too!! When I found out of her passing my heart was broken. I give you my deepest sympathy and Mae will always have a special place in my heart. I pray that God wraps his loving arms around all of you and comfort you during this difficult time. I will be praying for you tomorrow and going forward with her physically gone but she is always with you and in your heart. Love you and God bless you all. Penny Hopkins, Ann (Sissy) Burke and family.
To the family God is in control and God keep his promises and aunt Mae was a good woman and she love her blue and play card and cooking and she love seeing her family and I am going to miss coming over to her house and she in the house playing cards with the family and to her family and kids hold on to God unchanging hands and God I pray for strong and healing for her kids and Grief is real but take you time and rest easy aunt Mae we love you and miss you From The Lee Family
Mae was my bus driver in Jr. High. Everyone knew she didn’t play around with tht bus. You will be missed!!šššš»
Kelly Nichols
She was a beautiful person
Iām sad to hear of your passing. I fondly remember the years you were my bus driver in junior high and high school. I still remember some of the quotable saying you used to say all the time. Thanks for getting us to and from school safely and thanks for the fond memories. My condolences to your family friends and loved ones. You were truly one of a kind, and I thought of you often.
As a bus driver, Ms Mae was able to drive and deliver students safely in an orderly environment, because she knew the power of having a relationship with each child. I will never forget how she encouraged me as the leader of a school. She gave, she served, and she loved. A life well lived, šš½ā¤ļø
Loleta Carter Montgomery