Sallie Mae Mayfield Montgomery, 97, passed away on February 22, 2023 in Chapel Hill, NC.

Sallie  was born in Chester County, South Carolina June 17, 1925. She was the oldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Claude (Eunice Martin) Mayfield. In addition to her parents, Sallie was preceded in death by her sisters Gloria, Junitta, Alfrieda and her brother Claude Mayfield, Jr. During her younger years, the family lived in Youngstown, Ohio and moved to Washington DC where Sallie attended grade school (1st – 6th grades). Her family then returned to Youngstown, Ohio where she attended Grimke Junior High School and graduated from South High School in 1943.

After graduation from High School, Sallie moved to Washington D.C. to live with relatives and began working for the United States Air Force at the Pentagon where she met Bernard Montgomery. They were married in 1948 and had one daughter, (Linda Joyce) AKA Jamilah. Sallie was employed at the Pentagon for several years and later at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade Maryland from which she retired in 1983. Upon retirement Sallie nourished her creative talents as a professional seamstress and wedding planner designing beautiful wedding dresses and gowns and coordinating memorable weddings for many.

Sallie was a faithful member of Asbury Methodist Church where she offered her faithful service, creativity and professional sewing talents to various areas including United Methodist Women, Church Women United and other ministries. From usher uniforms to choir robes, bulletin boards, church banners, Sallie lent her talents energetically and selflessly. She has served and inspired many inside the church and out. She was a mentor and elder for the Rights of Passage Youth Empowerment Foundation whose mission was to bring peace and compassion to our world through the personal empowerment and spiritual development of the youth.

She is survived by her Daughter Jamilah Sabir-Calloway and grandsons Ahmed Sabir-Calloway, Yousuf Sabir-Calloway and his wife Phanice and great-grandson Phahim Allen Talib Sabir-Calloway and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Loved and adored by many, Sallie was affectionately known by many names, by her family and extended families [including the Martin-Sanders-Carter-Culp family, The Arthur and Geraldine Calloway family, the James and Mattie Crawley family, Lawrence and Margaret Montgomery family, William and Nancy Simmons family], as Ms. Montgomery, Mustang Sallie, Mama Sallie, Aunt Sallie, Grandma Sallie, and just plain Grandma. She shared a special bond with her nephew Tony Mayfield of Jessup, MD. She was a master chef, exceptional baker, seamstress extraordinaire, fashionista, jazz connoisseur and matriarch. A natural nurturer, Sallie had a kind and generous heart. She had an infectious laugh, always smiled, knew how to have fun and loved to dance. She was our resident griot and boy, she could tell some stories. She will be greatly missed. 

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