Who Was Erin Napier's Aunt Mae Mae? Her Family Loss Explained

Erin Napier's Aunt Mae Mae was her beloved aunt Marilyn, a family member who helped care for her during childhood, encouraged her artistic talents and later became a familiar face at Erin and Ben Napier's Laurel Mercantile stores in Mississippi.

The HGTV star announced her aunt's death in an emotional Instagram tribute on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. She also revealed that her youngest daughter, Mae, was named after Marilyn, making the family loss particularly personal.

Erin remembered her aunt as someone whose greatest gift was loving people, sharing stories and making everyone she met feel welcome.

Who Was Erin Napier's Aunt Mae Mae?

Aunt Mae Mae was the affectionate family nickname for Marilyn, Erin Napier's aunt.

Although she was not a regular television personality, Marilyn became familiar to some fans of HGTV's Home Town because she worked as a greeter at Laurel Mercantile Co., the retail business owned by Erin and her husband, Ben Napier, in Laurel, Mississippi.

Erin described her aunt as someone who had spent her entire working life in retail and understood how to make customers feel welcome.

Her personality left a lasting impression on people who visited the store. Following Erin's announcement, fans shared memories of meeting Marilyn and experiencing her friendliness firsthand.

When Did Erin Napier's Aunt Mae Mae Die?

Erin Napier announced that her aunt Marilyn had died on November 4, 2026.

The announcement came through an Instagram post featuring photographs of her aunt at different stages of her life.

Erin's tribute focused on the memories they shared, her aunt's influence on her childhood and the special connection between Marilyn and her youngest daughter.

The announcement attracted attention from fans of Home Town, particularly those who remembered Marilyn from Laurel Mercantile.

How Did Aunt Mae Mae Help Raise Erin Napier?

One of the most personal parts of Erin's tribute involved the time Marilyn spent caring for her when she was a young child.

Erin explained that her mother worked part-time as a realtor, so her aunt looked after her on days when her mother had to work.

Their time together included outdoor adventures, creative activities and lessons that Erin continued to remember as an adult.

They walked along trails through the woods on a hill where four generations of Erin's family had lived. They collected leaves and glued them into scrapbooks.

Marilyn also introduced Erin to John Wayne movies, taught her about U.S. presidents and helped her draw pictures of them for her scrapbook.

Erin recalled that her aunt sang Elvis songs to her and shared her faith.

These childhood experiences became some of the memories she highlighted in her farewell message.

How Did Aunt Mae Mae Influence Erin Napier's Artistic Career?

Erin credited Marilyn with recognizing and encouraging her creativity when she was young.

In her Instagram tribute, she explained that her aunt saw her artistic gifts and understood how to nurture them.

Erin described Marilyn as someone who helped raise a professional artist without even realizing it.

That memory adds another dimension to their relationship. Marilyn was not simply a relative who spent time with Erin; she was also an important influence during the years when Erin was discovering her creative interests.

Erin later became known for her work as an artist, designer and television personality on HGTV's Home Town.

Why Did Erin Napier Name Her Daughter Mae After Aunt Mae Mae?

Erin and Ben Napier named their youngest daughter Mae in honor of Marilyn, affectionately known as Aunt Mae Mae.

Erin explained that when she and Ben were expecting their younger daughter, she already knew what they would name her because of how special her aunt was to her.

Their daughter Mae was born on May 28, 2021.

The name therefore carries a family connection that goes beyond a simple naming choice. It represents the influence Marilyn had on Erin's life and the memories she wanted to preserve through another generation.

The connection also helps explain why the announcement attracted attention from people searching for information about Erin's family.

Did Aunt Mae Mae Work at Erin and Ben Napier's Laurel Mercantile?

Yes. Marilyn worked as a greeter at Laurel Mercantile Co., the store owned by Erin and Ben Napier in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi.

Erin said her aunt had worked in retail throughout her life and was particularly good at welcoming and talking with customers.

Her personality made her memorable to visitors.

In her tribute, Erin recalled that people who met Marilyn while she worked at the stores were unlikely to forget her.

After the announcement, several fans shared their own experiences meeting her at the Mercantile, remembering her warmth and friendly conversations.

Her work at the store allowed people outside the Napier family to experience the personality Erin described in her tribute.

What Did Erin Napier Say About Her Aunt's Death?

Erin shared several personal memories in her November 4 Instagram post.

She described Marilyn's greatest gift as her ability to love people, meet them, talk with them and make connections.

She also remembered small details from childhood, including her aunt's distinctive laugh, the smell of Ivory soap and the little ice cream cones Marilyn prepared with marshmallows and strawberry jam hidden at the bottom.

These memories showed how deeply ordinary childhood experiences had stayed with Erin.

She ended her tribute with a reference to Elvis, reflecting the music her aunt used to sing to her.

The post included photographs of Marilyn throughout her life, including a picture of her embracing Erin's daughter Mae.

Who Are Erin and Ben Napier's Children?

Erin and Ben Napier have two daughters, Helen and Mae.

Helen is their older daughter, while Mae is their younger child.

Mae was named after Erin's Aunt Mae Mae, making Marilyn part of the family's story even beyond her lifetime.

The couple generally keep their children's lives relatively private despite their public careers on HGTV.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Erin Napier's Aunt Mae Mae's real name?

Her real name was Marilyn. Mae Mae was the affectionate nickname used by Erin and her family.

When did Aunt Mae Mae die?

Erin Napier announced her aunt's death on November 4, 2026.

Why was Aunt Mae Mae important to Erin Napier?

Marilyn helped care for Erin during childhood, encouraged her artistic interests and created memories that Erin continued to cherish as an adult.

Was Aunt Mae Mae Erin Napier's grandmother?

No. Erin referred to Marilyn as her aunt, not her grandmother.

Is Erin Napier's daughter Mae named after her aunt?

Yes. Erin revealed that she and Ben named their youngest daughter Mae in honor of Aunt Mae Mae.

Did Aunt Mae Mae work at Laurel Mercantile?

Yes. Marilyn worked as a greeter at Laurel Mercantile Co. in Laurel, Mississippi, where visitors remembered her friendly personality.

What did Aunt Mae Mae do for Erin when she was young?

She looked after Erin while her mother worked, took her on woodland walks, helped her make scrapbooks, introduced her to movies and music, and encouraged her creativity.

Erin Napier's Tribute Preserves Aunt Mae Mae's Legacy

Erin Napier's announcement was more than news of a family loss. It was also a reflection on the influence one person can have through childhood memories, encouragement and everyday acts of kindness.

Marilyn helped care for Erin, nurtured her artistic interests and welcomed customers at the Napiers' Laurel Mercantile stores.

Her name also lives on through Erin and Ben's youngest daughter, Mae.

For Erin, those connections make Aunt Mae Mae an enduring part of her family's story.

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Originally published at Flames Nova