Mrs. Marlene Bracey-May of Grand Rapids, MI and a long-time resident of Columbia, South Carolina, was born on July 25, 1953. She was affectionately known as "May" or "Bracey-May". She was the beloved daughter of the late Joseph Bracey and Sheba M. Davis-Bracey. Marlene departed this life to join her heavenly father on March 30, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. At the tender age of six months she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and remained hospitalized for 5 years this brought out the fighter in her as there was total isolation. By the time she came home she was introduced to her twin sister and four other siblings in Grand Rapids and an older brother in South Carolina. Marlene went through adolescent and teenage years with spunk and enthusiasm. As an adult she was fierce and opinionated. She was always in tuned to her African heritage and if you ever went to her home you were introduced to parts of the Motherland too. It was always her desire to go to Africa, but she was secretly afraid to fly. Marlene began working at an early age and discovered she loved to cook. She made food service her lifetime career. She always went to work with a smile, she rarely called in and was always early. Although she knew how to drive, she trusted on her "Cadillac" to get her to where she needed to go. Whether it was the Greyhound to Grand Rapids, Columbia and Sacramento or the City bus to get her around any city she was living in at the time. Marlene had many challenges in life and was not afraid to tell anybody of what she had been through. It was therapeutic and she wanted people to learn from her mistakes and become good individuals. She instilled in her kids, grand kids and great grandkids the importance of history and family. She wanted them to know the struggle of African Americans and never wanted them to forget where they came from. She enjoyed long conversations about politics and controversial issues that were thought provoking. Her smile was infectious and her voice deep. Marlene accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. As her health worsen and she was hopeful to get a liver transplant she would always say "I have a faith the size of a mustard seed and God's got me no matter what". After a short stay in the hospital and complications from her liver disease she expressed to her two kids she wanted to come home. The teenager with spunk and the fierce adult was tired. She had run her last lap. She was greeted at home by her girls and a loving family. After five hours at home she closed her eyes and joined her father Joseph Bracey, mother Sheba M. Davis-Bracey and bother Henry J Bracey (Mr. B as she called him). Special friends Clarence Jackson and Richard Earl Williams. Marlene was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, niece and friend. She leaves to cherish her memories her two children Dionna (Terryl) Brown, Kenya May. Two sisters Kathy Bracey and her twin Charlene Bracey, three brothers Charles (Cillerine) Davis, Valray Bracey and Timothy Bracey. Five grandchildren Jakari Johnson Sr, Brittani Smith, Biannca May, Kevin and Ken Gordon. Three great grandkids whom she adored and talked about all the time. Elijah, Jakari Jr and Alanna. Special nephew Larry Bracey. Ex-husband Gregory May. Two uncles, three aunts and a host of loving nieces, nephews' cousins and friends, all of whom will miss her dearly. A tentative Memorial Service is July 25, 2020.