Ernie Maye

Ernie Maye of Clayhatchee, AL, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Flowers Hospital surrounded by family and friends. He was 75.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, August 29, 2025 at Providence Baptist Church with Rev. Chad Hixson and Rev. Kevin Woodcock officiating. Burial will follow in Providence Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, 579 Bivins Drive, Ozark, AL 36360.

Ernie was born in Russell County, GA to Grover Cleveland Maye and Dorothy Nadine Maye in 1950. He lived in Columbus, GA, Albany, GA and then moved to Dothan, AL when he was a teenager. Ernie worked at Chandler Hamburger and Dobb’s Bar-B-Q, he then graduated from Rehobeth High School in 1968. He began his career at Alabama Electric and then went to work at Robbins Electric where he worked for 40 years until his retirement in 2012.

Ernie resided in Clayhatchee, AL since 1978 with his wife of 47 years. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee, worked in the sound room and as a substitute Sunday School teacher.

Ernie enjoyed reading, watching ESPN no matter what the sport, and cop shows. He was an avid Auburn Tigers fan and loved to play slow pitch softball, playing most of his adult life. Ernie played on several softball teams including Clayhatchee and the Midland City Merchants, he also played tournaments with a 55 and older team. Several of his softball teams won state championships. Ernie loved to play golf, especially at the Highlands and all the Robert Trent Jones courses. For many years he bowled on several leagues at Boland Lanes.

Ernie was preceded in death by his father Grover Cleveland Maye, mother Dorothy Nadine Maye, brother Cleveland Maye.

Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Dede Maye, Clayhatchee, AL; two sons, Chris Maye, Birmingham, AL; Colby Maye, Louisiana; two granddaughters, Madison Maye, Birmingham, AL; Mackenzie Maye, Birmingham, AL; grandson, Sean Smith (Brittany), Luverne, AL; two great-grandchildren, Sam and Seth Smith, Luverne, AL; two sisters, Becky Clark, Myrtle Beach, SC; Tori Weeks, Dothan, AL; brother, Gary Maye (Rene), Dothan, AL; niece, Cassie McGraw (Jason), St Marys, GA; their children, Jackson and Jillian; niece, Jamie Altgilbers, St. Marys, GA; her children, Adelei, Jameson, and David; nephew, Russell Sconyers, Birmingham, AL; mother-in-law, Bobbie Spriggs, Clayhatchee, AL; beloved pets, Baby Girl, Suzie Q and Sweetie.

Serving the family as pallbearers are Ray McCall, Billy Shellhouse, Tony Gilmore, Rick Patrick, Wade (Hoss) Johnston, CJ Shorter and Greg Hester.