Mr. Stephen Quinn Mays Sr.

Stephen Quinn Mays, Sr. (or "Steve" as we would call him) came into this world as a quiet, shy baby on June 17, 1974. But he didn't come alone. He made his grand entrance just five minutes before his twin sister, Chanda. That's me.

Although a twin, he had a personality all his own. He knew what he wanted and what he didn't want. Once his mind was made up, that was that.

As a young boy, he sought out many adventures with his older brother, Brian. When they weren't trekking through creeks or bicycling through town, they could be found at

home playing video games or just wrestling for fun. Boys will be boys.

As he entered elementary and eventually middle school, he began assembling a little posse of best friends who would later prove to be life-long friends: Darren, Lawrence, among others.

Then high school rolled around. It was time for driver's ed, social events, and pushing boundaries. With his ride-or-die Kahree by his side and guidance from his parents, he

navigated these rites of passage and went on to graduate from Martin High School in 1994, standing tall and proud. Thank you, God.

Young adulthood threw him a few curve balls, which he, in Steve-like fashion, threw right back. He was always a fighter ... fighting the invisible. Never a quitter. Bobbing and

weaving ...

He would later marry and from that marriage, he was blessed with beautiful children:

Stephen Quinn Mays, Jr. and Jocelyn Janae Parker-Mays. Through a strict adherence to education first, they've been blessed to see both their children earn scholarships to college. "Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward"- Ps. 127.3.

As the sun began to set, Stephen faced his biggest fight yet - for life, for faith, for redemption. God, being true to His Word, stepped in, and said:

I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. (Is. 43: 1-2; 44:22) As we honor Stephen's life, the words of an old song by Rickie Byars come to mind. Don't worry about me, now I am alright. That body I had, let it fade into the light. I am more than flesh; I am more than time. No, I could not do, what I could not see.

Lift up my name, for what I tried to be. Don't worry about me, now l am alright. That worry you have, let it fade into the light.

Stephen leaves behind children: Jocelyn Parker-Mays and Stephen Q. Mays, Jr.; Martima Parker-Mays (mother of his children); mother, Mary Epps; father, Lorenza Epps; siblings, Chanda Mays, Brian Mays, Ayrelia Wright, and Natasha Epps; nieces and nephews, Brynna, Brooklyn, Warren, Noah, Taylor, Jardyne, Jasmin, Jade, Dereck, Hombre', Kenleigh, Y'Tavia, Faith, Jasmine E., a host of cousins, relatives, and special friends.