Leesville, SC — Mrs. Willie Mae Caldwell Bynem was born on July 30, 1918 to the late Joseph and Alice Davenport-Caldwell. She was second to the youngest of 15 siblings, all of whom have preceded her in death.
Willie Mae was educated in Newberry County public schools until her family relocated to Leesville, South Carolina where she met and married her late husband of 55 years, Clarence Leon Bynem, Sr. From that union came five children, three boys and two girls. Clarence Leon Bynem, Jr. (Washington DC, preceded her in death), Leonard Lorenzo Bynem (Wagener, South Carolina, preceded her in death), Thelma Louise Bynem Thompson (Irmo, South Carolina), Elzie Lee Bynem (Jacksonville, Florida, preceded her in death) and Deaconess Evelyn Bynem Green (Suitland, Maryland).
She tirelessly worked various jobs to provide for and educate her children and many grandchildren, including “town beautician” where everyone came to get a press n’ curl. She was an active member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church for 75+ years; having served on the senior choir as second lead, church secretary, Deaconess and Mother of the Church. Prior to becoming a member of St. Mark, she was a member of St. John CME Church. She loved her Pastor Amos O. Harling Jr. and First Lady Emma Harling.
Willie Mae was of service to everyone in need of advice, guidance, council, a warm meal and always a helping hand in her community. She loved to fish and garden and enjoyed cruises in her latter years.
Those left to carry on her legacy are: her two daughters – Thelma Louise Bynem Thompson of Irmo, South Carolina and Deaconess Evelyn Bynem Green of Suitland, Maryland; a loving daughter-in-law – Ella Mae Bynem of Wagener, South Carolina; twenty grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren followed by numerous great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Homegoing services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023 at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Batesburg-Leesville, SC. Interment was in the St. Mark Baptist Church cemetery.