Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Mae Helen Siler-Holliday

Mae Helen Siler-Holliday was born on August 3, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Rev. James W. Siler Sr. and Mae Ella Siler. Mae was the second youngest of six siblings, three of whom preceded her in death. Mae grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, where her beautiful legacy began.

At a very young age, Mae’s love for the Lord became very evident. As the daughter of a pastor, faith was deeply woven into her upbringing and remained a guiding force throughout her life. Mae served on the Nurses Board at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church and Christian Covenant Baptist Church, both in Chicago, where her father was founder and pastor. She was also a broadcaster on her father’s gospel station WBEE A.M. Radio. Mae’s early service was a reflection of the compassionate and caring woman she would become.

Mae believed deeply in education and continued to pursue knowledge throughout her life. She graduated from John Marshall Harlan High School and continued her education at Olive-Harvey College, where she earned her nursing certificate. She later graduated from Chicago State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Services, followed by a Master of Social Work from Spertus Institute.

After graduating from Chicago State University, Mae continued giving back to her community by serving on a board involved in helping establish Gamma Phi Gamma Fraternity, an organization that would later become significant to her family when her youngest brother pledged. Mae was always willing to use her knowledge, leadership, and influence to help create opportunities for others.

A Life of Service

Mae devoted her professional life to social services and humanitarian work. At an early age, Mae served as a Director at Lambs Farm, servicing mentally challenged adults. She went on to become a case manager with Lutheran Social Services where she safely removed children from abusive environments and place them into foster care. As she continued to expand on her career journey, Mae joined the Department of Children Family Services (DCFS) as a case manager on the trauma intake unit placing children into emergency protection and foster care. As time went on, she became Director at Aunt Martha’s Youth Services, where she advocated for and protected children from birth through age 21.

To further broaden her knowledge and expertise in the field of social services, Mae established her own nonprofit agency called, Mae’s Case Management, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges could be cared for, develop their abilities, and grow. Her work was more than a career, it was her calling.

Before falling ill, and forced into early retirement, Mae served as Director at Lawrence Hall Youth Services; Older Adolescence Program, servicing young adults ages 18 through 21. Throughout her career, she remained committed to protecting vulnerable populations, advocating for human rights, and giving people the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and hope.

Mae was a true humanitarian. She had a place in her heart for everyone she encountered and believed that every person deserved to be seen, heard, respected, and valued.

With Love

Mae was married to Charles E. Holliday and to their union their daughter was born, Amber Holliday. They spent many years together, and shared many memories. Although life took Mae and Charles in different directions, they remained great friends and talked all the time until God called her home. Mae’s love for her one and only daughter, Amber, was like no other. She cherished their talks, their outings, and her famous signature saying after every conversation, “I love you and thank God for you." She loved her family unconditionally and was always there as a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Her love and care for people extended far beyond her immediate family. Over the years, that enormous heart of hers led Mae to foster and adopt five children, whom she welcomed into her life and loved as her own. To Mae, family was not defined only by blood, it was defined by love, commitment, sacrifice, and being there when someone needed you.

Mae was a devoted Christian, and a woman whose faith remained at the center of her life. She loved the Lord and demonstrated that love through the way she served others.

The Lord saw fit to call Mae home Sunday September 6,2026 surrounded by her family.

Mae Helen Siler-Holliday leaves behind a legacy of faith, education, service, advocacy, compassion, and unconditional love. Her greatest accomplishments were not simply the degrees she earned or the positions she held, but the lives she touched, the people she helped, the children she protected, and the families she loved.

Mae is survived by her beautiful daughter, Amber E. Holliday (Everett); her one and only beautiful granddaughter, Aaliyah Everley Bradley; her sister, Evelyn Siler-Savage (Arthur); her brother, Daryle L. Siler (Sonya); her uncle, Tom Lee (Pearl); six nieces; five nephews; 25 great-nieces and great-nephews; her five beloved foster/adopted children; and a host of relatives, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Mae had two beautiful best friends, Sharon Hill and Artremease Caldwell, who held a special place in her heart. She shared a particularly special bond with her niece and nephew, Iceiss Siler and DeMondo Siler, and cherished her beloved fur baby, Teddy Holliday.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. James W. Siler Sr. and Mae Ella Siler; brothers, James W. Siler Jr. and Joseph L. Siler; sister, Jacqueline L. Siler; son, Terrence E. Holliday; and nephew, Michael J. Muse.

Rest well, Mae. Your work here was meaningful, your love was immeasurable, and your legacy will continue through every life you touched.