Gracy Mays

Gracy Mays of Hixson was gathered peacefully in her Lord’s arms, who took her home to heaven on July 25, 2011. Gracy was the beloved mother of Sylvia Shipley of Hendersonville, TN, Susan Newman of Charlotte, NC, and Stephen Mays of West Chester, PA. She never failed to be a holy example in every step of her walk as their mom. She was the precious wife of Williams (Bill) Mays who went on before her in 2006. We know he’s busy taking her around her new mansion and showing the beautiful vegetable garden he’s planted beside it and the places he has ready for her flower beds.

Gracy was born on July 21, 1921 to Hattie and Whit Shephenson of Halifax, NC. She is survived by her brother, Lonnie Stephenson of Charlottesville, VA. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1941 and taught school briefly before moving to Washington, DC in 1943 where she met and married Bill. In 1951 Gracy and Bill moved to the Chattanooga area to be close to his aging parents. They made their lives in the Hixson area, raising their three children. Gracy began teaching again at Allen Elementary School and retired from there in 1983.

Her life was all about allowing the spirit of the Lord to live through her. She was a godly and loving mother and friend. She and Bill were members and dedicated servants at Central Baptist Church of Hixson for over 30 years where Gracy served as a Sunday school teacher and was instrumental in starting and managing the church library for more than 20 years. After their retirement, Gracy and Bill joined Dallas Bay Baptist Church, continuing in their service of love to their Lord. They made deep and lasting friendships with other special saints of God at these churches. The gift of these friendships has been a great treasure.

In addition of her three children, Gracy was the grandmother to 5 grandchildren – Stephanie Mays, Angie Perez, Chris Carney, Jasmine Newman and Michelle Newman, and 2 great-grandchildren, Tanner and Lindsey Perez.

The family wishes to especially thank Tom and Glenda Gregory and the rest of the Dallas Bay “Monday morning group” for their loving care particularly over the last five years as Gracy struggled to care for Bill in his last days of illness and then with her own health challenges as she lived on her own. Love and blessings to Carolyn Wilson, her family and the Dallas Bay ladies Sunday school class she leads for their kindness, friendship and prayers over the years. Thanks to Kathreen Horton who was always there to look after her in her times of need. Gracy leaves many precious friends, and we are grateful to you all for your loving care. Wendy, we’ll always have that sweet memory of the lovely 90th birthday gathering you helped arrange. Thank you for caring for Mom like she was your own.

Services will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 29, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Duggan officiating. Burial will be at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 and 7 until 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Gracy with a donation to Samaritan’s Purse at P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Hwy 153, Hixson, TN, 37434. Share your memories on line at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.