Beckham County, OK - Obits: Mary J. Mays, 1925 19 August 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* MAYS, MARY J. (7 May 1925, Sayre Journal, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK): Died at the home of her niece, Mrs. Dixon English of Grimes, Oklahoma, April 23, 1925, Mrs. Miles H. Mays, in her 92nd year. Mary J. Powell was born in Warren county, Tennessee, October 13, 1833, and was educated at Wolf's Academy. She was married to R. D. Bynam, October 19, 1854, Coffee County, Tenn. He died in 1864. She married Miles H. Mays, March 1868, and he died some thirty years ago. In 1901 she came to Oklahoma and made her home with Mrs. Dixon English, one of the settlers of this country. "Aunty" Mays and Lady English, her niece, had a broader acquaintance, perhaps, throughout this western section of Oklahoma than any other to women in Western Oklahoma. Young people as well as older ones drove long distances to visit with these hospitable daughters of the land. "Aunty" Mays was matron three years during the civil war in the hospital in Tennessee and she gave the best of her life for her beloved southland. She loved the south and carried with her the traditions and hospitality characteristic of the south during her long life. She suffered long and was an invalid for more than twelve years, and we can only think of her as one who awakes from a troubled dream and now sees life's endless morning break and knows herself at home with all the vast throng of loved ones, missed from the earth; safe about her. Her home instincts were strong, and her affection for friends and kindred was tender and abiding. Among all the friends and pioneers throughout all this section of the state she ranked always as a woman of culture, refinement, sympathy, a true friend, and withal a woman of heroic mould in bravely meeting the stern requirements and often the disappointments of life. The following pioneers acted as pall bearers: Tom Gresham of this city, Chas. Woods, D. Daniels, Andy Oleson, E. S. Repass and J. D. Winburn of Grimes. When the Eastern Star, the auxiliary of the Masonic lodge, was in the making she was among the first to become an active member and she loved to talk of its uplifting ideals and principles. Impressive funeral services were conducted at the Grimes school house, April 25, and her former pastor, Rev. Lackey of Hammon and Rev. J. B. Williams of Sayre conducted the funeral services, after which all that was mortal of this grand old lady was tenderly conveyed to the Dempsey cemetery, where she now rests, in peace. (20 Oct 1905, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK): Mrs. Mary Mays was seventy-one years old on the 13th, and a number of her friends planned a surprise and went to her home to spend the day. A fine turkey dinner had been arranged by her niece, Mrs. Dixon English, and others, and of course it was enjoyed mightily, and the afternoon was spent in a social way, with more turkey, apple pie, etc. "Auntie Mays" is loved by everyone and is a true friend, and we were glad indeed to be with her on this day and wish for her many happy returns of the same. (26 Oct 1910, Sayre Citizen, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK): Grimes (Community news): A number of friends called on Mrs. Mary Mays the 13th to celebrate her 77th birthday. Several nice tokens were given her by friends and by the Aid society and also many postcards were received by her. A service of song and prayer was held. On Sunday afternoon a large crowd of young people called on her and bade her goodbye. She leaves this week for Tennessee to make her future home with her nephew, John Powell. Aunty Mays has a host of friends here who regret to have her leave. She has been with her niece, Mrs. Dixon English, for about ten years. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html