Mrs. Mary L. MAYS died Saturday at 12:34 p.m. at the home of her son W. R. MAYS, in this city.

Mrs. MAYS was one of the oldest and most highly respected women of Jefferson County and was in her ninety-fifth year at the time of her death.

Nowithstanding her extreme age, she retained the use of her ______ 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 stricken by the sickness which resulted in death she was able to wait on herself and to go about the house. Death was due primarily to stomach trouble.

Mrs. MAYS name before her marriage was HARTLEY and she was born in North Carolina, October 22, 1815. She was ninety-four years 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 denomination and they always received a warm welcome, and generous hospitality. She was ever loyal to her church and no sacrifice was too great for her where it's 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, and William R. MAYS.

She had twelve great-grandchildren and many other relatives. Mrs. Mays was one of the oldest women in the county.

Source: Mt. Vernon Daily Register
Date: Monday, March 3, 1919
Submitted by: Mary Zinzilieta