Mamie Tolefree, age 79 of Kenosha, was granted Eternal Life on Saturday, September 1, 2018.

She was born on September 25, 1938 in Amite County, Mississippi and was the daughter of the late Hiram Bennett, Sr. and Marcella (Butler) Bennett.  She attended Higgins High School in Burglund, Mississippi.

Mamie moved to Kenosha in 1958, and that is where she met the love of her life, Bobby Tolefree.  On April 6, 1962, they were united in marriage.  After 55 years of marriage, Bobby preceded her in death on January 9, 2018.

Mamie was employed as the head housekeeper at St. Catherine’s Hospital in the housekeeping department, retiring in 2012 after 47 years of service.

She was a faithful woman of God and loved her church.  For over 50 years, she was a member of Coleman Chapel, A.M.E. Church.  Mamie was a church stewardess, Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, church trustee and was an important voice of the church choir.

Mamie was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend.  She was full of life and loved her beautiful grandchildren and Godchildren and was known as “Mom” to many.  Mamie loved to sing and cook.  Her excellent home cooking was shared with her family, friends and acquaintances.  She was a huge Golden State Warriors and Family Feud fan.  Mamie also loved reality shows, like “The Have and Have Nots”.

She is survived by her children, Doris (Kenneth) Penister-Jordan, Debra (Terence) Penister-Gray, Bryce (Finny) Tolefree, Nina (Darren) Tolefree-Walton, Spencer Tolefree and Tracy Tolefree; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.

Mamie is further survived by her siblings, Hiram (Gussie) Bennett of McComb, MS, J.H. Bennett of Albany, MS, Izeal (Barbara) Bennett of McComb, MS, Martha (Lee) Shaw of McComb, MS, Frances (Alvin) Hogan of McComb, MS, Ira Jean (William) Trawick of Oakland, CA, Rose (Chris) Mciver of Oakland, CA, Myrtis Mayfield of Kenosha; her sister-in-law, Annie Bennett of Kenosha; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bobby; she was preceded in death by her siblings, George Bennett, Trudie Johnson, Euel Bennett, Leonard Bennett and Charles C. Bennett.

Service Info

A Home Going Celebration honoring Mamie’s life will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Greater Mount Hebron–Church of God in Christ, 7445 20th Avenue, Kenosha, WI. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Cemetery.