Mavis Naomi Caffey

Mavis was born in Louisville, Mississippi in 1937. She was the last of six children born to Jethro and Maggie Hannah Mitchell. Four of her siblings have preceded her in death; Zettie, Maranie, Sonia and James. The family moved to Chicago from the state of Mississippi in the mid 40’s and settled in the area that is now called Bronzeville. They joined Hartzell Methodist Church, and she attended Drake elementary and Wendell Phillips High School. While there she was active in many activities including choir.

The family relocated to the Garfield Park area while she was still in high school. After graduation she attended Crane Junior College. Several of her older sisters were nurses so she joined them in this field by becoming a licensed practical nurse. She met and married Jerome Caffey. They had two children, Denise and Darryl from this union. Later in life she married a longtime acquaintance, William Perry.

Mavis was an active parent, always going to PTA meetings, school trips, and doing what she could whenever possible. She didn't just live on the block she was a part of the block club just, like her parents, and was very active until her health limited her.

She worked in many local hospitals and clinics; Franklin Boulevard Community Hospital, Dr. Martin Luther King Health Center and ending at Cook County Hospital. Career choices changed and she then went into the medical supply business, starting with Whittaker General Medical and eventually going to work for Cook County Purchasing Department as a buyer, where she retired from in the early 2000’s.

Mavis joined Saint Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Wilfred Reid. She was an active member of Sunday School, was a member of the Courtesy Club, she helped with the children’s Sunday school and sang in the 7:45 AM choir. She was selected to become a Stewardess by Rev. Albert D. Tyson III and remained active until her health declined and became emeritus.

Mavis “Numpy” will always be loved and remembered by her family and close friends. She leaves her surviving sister Doris Roberson (Rev. Henry); children Denise Caffey, Darryl Caffey and her grand- son J’ean D. Foster. Nephews and nieces; Derrick Roberson, Chandra McFall (Keith), Karen Mitchell, China Harper (Terrence) and Christopher Mitchell (Lovelie), and many more great nieces and nephews and cousins will cherish memories of her.