Donald Mays


Mr. Donald Mays, age 66, of Boyd , moved from his life on to a higher life 
at 6:36 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, in the year of our Lord 2001, at his home. 
He was born on October 21, 1934, in Boyd.  On Feb. 13, 1959, in Mt. Vernon, 
he married Evalo (Tate) Mays, his loyal and loving wife, and best friend of 42 years, 
whom survives him.

Also surviving are their four daughters and son-in-law, Debbie and Ken Eller of Oakland, 
Vicky and Ronnie Mays of Boyd, Lisa and Melvin Hart of Boyd, and Vicky and Jack Prinnell 
of Mt. Vernon; seven grandchildren, Dwight, Terri Lynn, brad, Brian, Lindsey, Jesse, and Nathan; 
three great-grandchildren, Selena, Garrett, and Brittany; two brothers, Everett Mays and wife 
Susie of Centralia, and Carl Mays and wife Edna of Walnut Hill; 13 nephews and five nieces 
also survive.

He is preceded in parting by his father and mother, Alva and Eva (Hutchison) Mays, two brothers, 
Cleo and Howard Mays and one sister Blanch Mays all of Boyd. 
He was a member of Local 520 Operating Engineers from 1965 through 1998.  He worked for 
Southern Illinois Asphalt until his retirement due to failing health in 1999.  He was also a member 
of the Boyd Christian Church, Mt. Vernon Gun and Sportsmans Club, Opdyke Masonic Lodge 
368AF &AM, Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois, Ainad Shrine Temple of East St. Louis, 
and the Jefferson County Shrine Club.  He served in the U.S. Army in 1952 during the Korean 
Conflict. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather.  He will be remembered 
by his family and friends for his gentleness, strength, kindness, and the ability he had to make people 
laugh.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Hughey Funeral Home with Mr. Bruce Hough 
officiating.  Burial will be in the Boyd Cemetery. 
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on today at the funeral home, where a walk-through service will be 
conducted at 7:30 p.m. by members of the Jefferson County Shrine Club. 
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of the 
Hospice Program at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center and will be accepted at the Hughey 
Funeral Home at any time. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hughey Funeral Home.


Date: 
Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Submitted by: Ida Reeves