A graveside service for Mrs. Maudell Valentine, 90, of Marshall, Texas will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Rose Hill Cemetery. Rev. Chilly Valentine will officiate the service. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Downs Funeral Home.

Maudell Goodspeed Valentine, often called Gramma, Mot, and Red but most of all mama, was the daughter of Mary Pearl Wright and Allen Goodspeed, was born on July 24, 1930.  She was raised with her only brother by Preston and Octavia Williams Rose, aka Uncle Press and Aunt Dear.

She was a graduate of Karnack High School in Karnack Texas, where she played the game of basketball, and from what we have heard she was very good. She loved sports, whether it was basketball, football, soccer, tennis, or golf.

At an early age she united with James Chapel Baptist Church, then Pine Bluff Missionary Baptist Church and then later in life she united with St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, worked as head of the Fellowship and later sat on the Mother's Board.  She had recently united with New Vision MBC and was a faithful member until she was no longer able to attend.

She married the love of her life, Ira Valentine, Jr. (Tom) on August 22, 1952, and they were united until his death.  She was roceeded in death by her mother, father, her special Uncle and Aunt, a Sister, a daughter, Vanessa Valentine, and grandson, Willie (Junea) Williams.

Maudell departed this life on Friday, February 5, 2021 and survived by her loving daughters, Velma (Londell) McGlothin, Tina Valentine, both of Marshall and a special daughter and son, Maudie Lovely Empy, Lancaster, Texas, and Joe Lovely Jr., of Marshall. Sons-Edward Valentine, Marshall,  Robert (LaVelma) Valentine, Ira Valentine, both of Longview,  Chilly Valentine, Marshall and step-son Larry Lester, Houston. One brother, Will (Josephine) May aka Big May, John Henry, Atlanta, GA.  A host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a special granddaughter, Minnie Murray.

Special grandchildren who she raised and helped take care of her day and night, Ashley & Alyssya Valentine, her 1 ^st grandson, Corey (aka Blue) Valentine and Chris (akaShawn) Williams and her youngest grandson, Ashton (Boy) Valentine. All of her family was dear to her heart.  One thing about Gramma, she had special love for each and every one of us.