Hopkins Co. TX - Life of Uncle Young Mays From: June E. Tuck ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any historical facts in the article. THE LIFE OF UNCLE YOUNG MAYS By J. T. Arthur Dailey New-Telegram, June 8, 1939 Young Mays was the son of Fletcher Mays, a Missionary Baptist preacher. He was born in DeKalb County, Alabama, May 22, 1856, came with his parents to Mt. Enterprise, Rusk County, Texas, in 1870. Lived there two years and moved to Greenwood, Hopkins County, Texas, in 1872. Lived there two years and went to Pine Hill, in Rusk County, in 1874. Not being satisfied, he came back to Greenwood in 1876, and in 1877 he married Miss Ary Jane Murdock and they went to Jumbo, Panola County, but were not pleased so came back to Greenwood in1884 and bought a place. Later they moved to his present home two miles south of Saltillo. His wife died May 22, 1925, and he was married to Mrs. Julia Banister Dec. of 1925, and was married in 1936 to Mrs. Dea Lock of Mt. Enterprise, Rusk County. He professed religion at the age of 21, at Old Pleasant Hill camp ground in Franklin County, Texas, and about four years later united with the Missionary Baptist church at Old Shilo in Rusk County. Later moved his membership to Old Stouts Creek near Saltillo, and was ordained a deacon of that church. He moved his membership to Willow Springs and still later moved on to Greenwood. He then moved to Panola County and placed his membership in the Friendship Church. He came back to Hopkins County, so he now belongs to the Willow Springs Baptist Church. Wherever he lived he moved his letter, a compliment to him. He is confined to his home and feels he is fast nearing the settling sun and will soon cross over on the other side to be with Jesus and His angels for ever. In 1930 his friends gave him a surprise birthday dinner, which he enjoyed very much. But it held sad memories, for just five years before his wife had died on that day. Each year since, he has been honored with a birthday dinner but not a surprise. Last Sunday was the day he had been looking forward to for several weeks saying that perhaps it would be the last birthday on earth, for perhaps he will celebrate his next birthday in Heaven. There was 156 names listed as being present.