Mary Louisa Hartley Mays

                                                                                                                  Died 2 March 1919
                                             Obituary

 Mary L. Mays was born in Nash County, North Carolina, Oct. 22, 1825. Was there united in marriage to James Mays.  To this union were born eight children, tow having superseded her to the heavenly home. Six are still living.

 Sister Mays and husband immigrated to this state about sixty-three years ago:
it was here that she nobly raised her family, all of whom are Christians, although left a widow at the close of the war (her husband died on his way home from the war in the same house where she also died) with the help of God in whom she professed faith at the early age of seventeen years.

 She fought life’s battles, and today her family bears witness to the consecrated life having four grandsons in the ministry, namely Rev. E.C. Phillips, of Xenia; Rev. R.H. Phillips, of Keysport; Rev. Angus Phillips, of Moccasin, all members of the Illinois Conference of the M.E. Church South, and Rev. Mays of the Free Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon.

 The pall bearers were all grandsons including the four preachers. 
 She leaves to mourn her departure six children, thirty-four grandchildren, seventy-seven great grandchildren, and twelve great, great grandchildren and besides a host of friends.

 Since coming to this state sixty-three years ago, granmother, as she was called by all who knew her, has been a citizen of this commmunity and a faithful member and supporter of Old Shiloh, Southern Methodist Church. Not only did she give of her means to the support of the church, but she gave her life to the house of God.

                                              Obit in possession of Ted Phillips

Information Source: Charles Lee Mays


Newspaper Obit for Mary L Mays

Mt. Vernon Daily News, Monday, Mar. 3, 1919, pl, c.2

MRS. MARY MAYS IS DEAD AT AGE OF 94

One of Counties Oldest Residents Died Sunday

  Mrs. Mary Mays, one of the oldest residents of Jefferson County, died at 12:40 Sunday afternoon at the home of her son William Mays on the Centrala road at the farm known as the old Dr. Frost place.

 Mrs. Mays was 94 years of age and had resided in this county since she was a young woman. She is survived by a large number of relatives including 12 or more great grand children.

 Despite her advanced age she was active and in good health until the last few weeks, being able to do houswork and with her mind unimpaired by her advanced years. 

 Mrs.Mays has been a widow since the Civil War, her husband having died in the service. She is survived by six children, a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. It is probable that she had more direct descendants living than any person in the county.

 In addition to her many relatives she had a large number of friends in the county and was commonly known to all as “Grandma Mays.” She was highly respected and admired by all who knew her and was a woman of splendid character whose long life was filled with usefulness and service for the members of her family who were so close to her.

 The children are William Mays, Robert Mays, of Ina and Green Mays of Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Silas Fuller of Pomona, Mrs. Martha Phillips of Shiloh and Mrs. Emilee Humphrey of Mt. Vernon.
 
She has been for many years, a devoted member of the Methodist Church. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock at the old Shiloh Church conducted by the Rev. Mr. Hicks of Dix.

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Mt. Vernon Daily Register, Monday Mar. 3, 1919, p.1, c.2

ONE OF COUNTY’S OLDEST WOMEN DIES

Mrs. Mary L. Mays, in Ninety-fifth Year Dies Sunday- Was Born in North Carolina

   Mrs. Mary L. Mays died Sunday at 12:45 pm at the home of her son, W. R. Mays, in this city. Mrs. Mays was one fo the oldest and highly respected women of Jefferson County and was in her ninety-fifth year at the time of her death.

  Not withstanding her extreme age, she retained the use of her mental and physical faculties in a remarkable degree until death. Up to three years ago she kept house for her son W.R. Mays, doing all the work, but in the last three years she has not worked much, but until the stricken by the sickness which resulted in death she was able to wait on herself, and go about the house.

  Death was due principally to stomach trouble.
  Mrs. Mays name before her marriage was Hartley and she was born in North Carolina., Oct 22, 1815. She was ninety-four old.

 When quite young she married James Mays in North Carolina and about the year 1853 they came to Illinois. Her husband enlisted in the Civil War and after a period of active service started home on sick leave but died on the way and the body was forwarded here for burial.
 
Mrs. Mays was a devout member of the M.E. Church South and had been since early childhood. When she and her husband arrived in Jefferson County they settled in the Little Grove neighborhood.

  Their home and as long as Mrs. Mays remained on the farm was the stopping place for all the ministers of her demonimation and they always received a warm welcom and generous hospitality. She was ever loyal to her church and no sacrific was too great for her where its interests were involved.

 She was a remarkable woman in many respects and those who knew her best had most reason to realize this fact. Her influence was always for right, truth and justice.
 
She was the mother of seven children, six of whom are living. John Mays, one of her sons, died some years ago.

 The surviving children are Mrs. Robert Fuller, Jackson County, Ill., Mrs James Phillips and Green Mays (twins), Robert Mays, Mrs. Wm Humphrey, William R. Mays. 

 She had 12 great grandchildren and many other relatives. 
 Mrs. Mays was one of the oldest women in Jefferson County.
                                                                                                                died 2 March 1919