Mary Alice Faye (Mc Donald) Abram

Mary Alice Faye Abram, 78, of East Moline, Illinois, passed away on April 3, 2025, at the University of Iowa Healthcare Center in Iowa City, IA, following a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma-related kidney damage.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, East Moline, Illinois. Pastor P.W. Harris will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Moline, IL. Memorials may be made to the family.

Faye was born on October 22, 1946, in Devalls Bluff, Arkansas, to Wallace H. Hayes, Sr. and Lula Mae Gilbert McDonald. She graduated as valedictorian from Biscoe High School in 1965 after attending a segregated school system in Biscoe, AR.

On June 17, 1965, she married the love of her life, John E. Abram, in Hazen, Arkansas. Shortly after their marriage, Faye and John moved from the rural South to the Midwest. In 1968, they started a family, and to this union were born four children: Leslie Michelle, Evelyn Danielle, Tomika Camille, and Mario Edward. Faye and John enjoyed 43 years of marriage before his passing on October 15, 2008.

Raised by her mother and grandparents on a foundation of faith, Faye accepted Christ at an early age. She was a dedicated member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Devalls Bluff, AR, before becoming a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in East Moline, IL.

Though Faye worked in various jobs throughout her life, her last role was as a caseworker at Bethany Home in 1988. However, the two jobs she loved most were being a devoted stay-at-home mother and preparing meals for others. Faye’s love for cooking was unmatched. Both she and John opened their home to anyone for a meal or a place to gather for their annual backyard celebration filled with food, music, and joy. For those who were fortunate enough to enjoy her cooking, it will always be remembered as nothing short of delicious.

Faye leaves to cherish her memory her four children: Leslie Michelle Abram (Daryl), East Moline, IL ,Evelyn Danielle Abram-Duke (Darin), Aurora, CO, Tomika Abram (Steve), East Moline, IL, and Mario Abram, East Moline, IL , her grandchildren: Alissa, Ariana, Alique, Mariana, and Talia,  great-grandchildren: Nacier and Jonah,  grand-dog: Maxwell,  her Mother: Lula Mae McDonald, Devalls Bluff, AR, sister: Evelyn Anderson, Rock Island, IL, uncle: Michael McDonald, Fresno, CA  first cousins: Patti Faye and Ricky Anderson, Little Rock, AR, sister-in-law: Katherine Sims, brother-in-law: Bill Rounsville,  host of special nieces, nephews, and cousins, special friends: Almeda and Jose Carmichael, Drucilla Johnson, Ruth Westbrook, Rosie Townsell, and  Deborah Davis.

Faye is preceded in death by her husband, John E. Abram; father, Wallace H. McDonald, Sr.; grandparents: Joe and Maggie Gilbert, Chester and Ercyele McDonald; siblings: Wallace H. McDonald, Jr., Lorraine Kelly, and Antoinette Johnson; aunt: Lena Anderson; cousin: Joyce Perry; uncle: Raymond McDonald; and nephews: Patrick McDonald, Spencer Sims, Wayne Strong, and Donald Strong.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters-in-law: Dorothy Strong-Rounsville, Berta Mae Casey, Thelma Cannon; and brothers-in-law: Thomas Cannon, Henry Strong, and Willie Sims.

The family wishes to thank all of the family and friends who have been a support to our mother and family. 

Online condolences may be left at sullivanellisltd.com.

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