Life Story
Mother Sallie Mae McDonald Jonas August 23, 1929 – August 22, 2021

On August 23, 1929, Mother Sallie Mae McDonald Jonas was the beautiful baby daughter born to Julia Mae McDonald. She was a lifelong resident of Madison, FL. Preceding her in death were: her mother; husband, Tommie Jonas, Sr.; stepsons, Michael Jonas and Lester Leon Graham; and stepdaughters, Lorraine Jonas Brown, Valerie Jennings, and Loretta Allen.

"The village," along with the caring teachers she had at Madison County Training School, taught Mother Sallie Mae many life lessons and skills she would need to have a successful life. During the time she spent in Miami for an extended vacation, she realized there was so much more she needed to learn. For this reason, she knew it was time for her to return to the hometown of her humble beginnings. Having done so, she used her faith and entrepreneurial spirit to open her own business, the Savoy Cafe, also known as Sallie Mae's or Miss Sallie Mae's, which was famous for her savory hamburgers and other delicious menu items.

Mother Sallie Mae was a classy person who loved dressing fashionably. These qualities, no doubt, caught the attention of Tommie Jonas, Sr., for they were united in a marriage that was ultimately blessed for nearly 45 years. While they had no children together, she readily loved and accepted his children as her own, and they returned her love with much respect.

Mother Sallie Mae loved the Lord and was dedicated in serving Him. She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church of Madison. Until her declining health prevented her from attendence, she had always been very dutiful in her responsibility to the church and to the Stewardess Board.

One of Mother Sallie Mae's favorite pastime activities was fishing. She knew the best fishing holes and generally came home with the catch of the day. She also enjoyed listening to soul stirring gospel music of Troy Ramey and the Soul Searchers, watching westerns, and spending time with her family. She loved sharing her time with her "pet children," especially her faithfully protective dog, Pee Wee, that would bite anyone around her who made a wrong move.

God saw that Mother Sallie Mae's body was getting tired of this earthly life, so on Sunday evening, August 22, 2021, less than two hours before her 92nd birthday, He selected another flower for His heavenly garden. He knows that while she will surely be missed, she will most definitely be Heaven's gain.

Treasuring Mother Sallie Mae's love and legacy and witness are: her stepsons, Tommie (Mildred) Jonas, Raymond Jonas, Sr., both of Madison, FL, David (Gwendolyn) Jonas of Tampa, FL, Tony (Patricia) King of Gainesville, FL, and Terry Jonas of Newark, NJ; stepdaughters, Marian L. Denson, Annie Jo Martin, Brenda (Frankie) Johnson, Mother Vera (Bishop Earl) Hill, all of Madison, FL, Iris (John) Allison-Hawthorne of Albany, GA, and Angela (Wayne) Messam of Miramar, FL; brother, Willie McCall of Augusta, GA; brother- in-law, James Fudge of Madison, FL; sisters-in-law, Essie Mae Jonas (also friend/caregiver), Lorine Quinn, both of Madison, FL; Mabelle Webb, of Lake Butler, FL; goddaughters, Leatha McDaniel Davis of Madison and Sallie Harris of Jacksonville, FL; and a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many other loving relatives, and sorrowing friends.