Mae Bell Yarbrough

Mae B. Yarbrough, 91, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully holding the hands of her daughter and granddaughter on April 16, 2024. She was born in Colbert County, Alabama on August 15, 1932, to Ellie H. and Edna Alice Talley. She was married to the love of her life, Thomas N. Yarbrough, for 53 years. Mae was a stay-at-home mom for most of her life, working only a short time at the Chemstrand Plant in the early 60s, and in the late 60s working part-time at the Sears, Roebuck and Co. jewelry department in downtown Pensacola. In the 70s and 80s, together with close friend Joyce Pierson, they opened a ceramic shop - Creative Ceramics - out of Mom’s home, which eventually grew and moved to a building on Old Palafox Highway, and then to a final location on Beverly Parkway. Several of Mom’s ceramic pieces have survived the decades. Mom and dad were active charter members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church for decades until its closure after a church merger. The St. Andrew congregation was a second family to Mae. She was a beloved Sunday-morning greeter, always welcoming current and new congregants with her bright, infectious smile and gentle disposition. She loved her church family dearly. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas N. Yarbrough; her parents, Ellie H. and Edna Alice Talley; sisters Ruth Denton, Gladys Todd Jones (Florence, AL), and Ella Sprague (Cherokee, AL); and brother Billy Talley (Cherokee, AL). Survivors include her daughter, Edith Yarbrough Salter and husband Mike; granddaughter Peyton Cook Abbott and husband Christopher; great grandson Rowan A. Abbott, and great granddaughter Sunny E. Abbott (Pensacola, FL); brothers Claude Talley and wife Shirley (Cherokee, AL), and Vernon Talley (Killen, AL); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. A special “thank you” to her niece Sheila Carpenter for never letting a special occasion go by without remembering to acknowledge Mom who looked forward to those cards & pictures! Mom’s inurnment will take place May 2, 2024, at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola, where she will be reunited in aeternum with her husband Thomas in a private family ceremony. Faith Chapel Funeral Home at 100 Beverly Parkway is in charge of arrangements. There will be no formal service. A very special thanks must be extended to Mom’s caregivers at Sodalis on Davis Highway who were so kind, compassionate, and supportive during Mom’s final days. Your kindness will not be forgotten.

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Mae Bell Yarbrough

August 15, 1932 - April 16, 2024