Willie Mae was born January 1, 1916, in a log cabin with dirt floors, in Richardsville, Oklahoma to the union of the late Joe Green and Sallie Scroggins Green. At the age of 6 Willie Mae accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, and was baptized by the late Rev. W. M. Warrior of Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church. At the age of 17, Willie Mae graduated from Warrior High School as Valedictorian of her class. She began her teaching career 1 year later, while attending Langston University. She graduated from Langston University in 1942 with a BS in Elementary Education and spent the next 35 years as an educator, molding minds and serving as an inspiration to countless young people.

In 1939 Willie Mae married her first husband, Lucious "Bay" DeBouse. While this union was not blessed with children of their own, they provided a loving home for Arthur "Jr." DeBouse, Richard "Rickey" Scroggins, and John "Rudy" Scroggins. After the passing of Bay in 1981, Willie Mae married R. D. Etheridge in 1984.

Willie Mae was a faithful member of the Morning Star Baptist Church for over 70 years. She served in several capacities during her membership. Her service included Financial Secretary, Vice President of the Women's Missionary Group and Assistant Sunday School Teacher.

Her strong sense of community service led her to volunteer monthly to issue commodities to the needy. She visited homes of elderly and provided transportation for them to keep medical and other vital appointments. She was an Inspector at the McIntosh County voting polls and served as an Oklahoma Community Action Committee member well into her 90's.

Additional volunteer service includes Secretary/Treasurer for the McIntosh County National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Chairperson of the McIntosh County Transportation Coalition; Secretary for the Order of the Eastern Star-Masonic Pride; Regional Secretary for the Oklahoma Federation for Colored Women; Secretary for the Gardenia Club; and Representative to the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature. Willie Mae was also, a member of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) Advisory Council; Seniors Advocates; Historian for the Warrior School Restoration Organization and was associated with the Deep Fork Community Action Fellowship for 37 years. Willie Mae consistently encouraged her community members to be actively engaged in the political process. Willie Mae received the local NAACP's Lifetime Achievement award and many other awards and recognition for her tireless effort as a volunteer in the aging network. She was selected as an EODD Delegate for the Local, State, and White House Conferences on Aging. She received the Outstanding Older Oklahoman Award from the EODD Area Agency on Aging. Additional honors include a Recognition Award for 25 years of service from Deep Fork Community Action Program.

As a crowning achievement for a life well spent, willie Mae was selected to the inaugural class for induction into the Oklahoma Black Educators' Hall of Fame in 2011. When asked during her Oklahoma Black Educators' interview; "How would you complete this sentence – I am proud that I chose to be a teacher because…?" her response was, " I made a difference in the lives of my students and the community in which I lived" .

By the grace of God, Willie Mae's education, determination and her life of service carried her from a log cabin with dirt floors to induction into the Oklahoma Black Educators' Hall of Fame.

Willie Mae was called home on January 24, 2017 in Oklahoma City. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Lucious DeBouse, her second husband, R. D. Etheridge, daughter Mary Martin, and two grandchildren; Lucious Martin and America Scroggins. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memories and celebrate her home-going three children; Arthur (Zenia) DeBouse; Richard (Franzetta) Scroggins; and John Scroggins; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister-in-law's Anna Bush and Maud Etheridge; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A Home Going Service is scheduled Saturday, February 4, 2017, 11:00 a.m., First Baptist Church, 210 S. W. 2nd Street, Checotah, OK. Interment will follow in Warrior Cemetery, Checotah, OK.

Visitation will be Friday, 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

A Wake will be held Friday, February 3, 2017, 7:00 p.m., Morning Star Baptist Church, West of Checotah, OK.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home & Cremations, Muskogee, OK