Gerald Keith Mays

Funeral services for Gerald K. Mays, age 86 of Jackson, will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 1 p.m. at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel with Dr. Don Thrasher and Rev. Tillman Mays officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery.

Gerald passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday evening, July 28, 2017 at his home in Jackson.

He was born in Bemis TN to the late A.T. Mays and Mary Naylor Mays. A former basketball player, coach, and teacher, he graduated from Malesus High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Lambuth University and a master’s degree from Austin Peay State University.

He enlisted in the Tennessee Army National Guard and served over 42 years of reserve and active-duty retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer Four. Following his retirement from active duty, he served as an instructor at the National Guard training site at Camp Robinson, AR. A long time Methodist, he taught Sunday school classes for over 30 years and was a member at North Side United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Sandra Godson and Edwina Robley and brother James Mays.

He is survived by his wife Mary Louise Mays of Jackson; sons COL (Ret.) Brian K. Mays (Dee) of Ashburn, VA, COL (Ret.) Bryce C. Mays (Kerry) of San Antonio, TX, and Brandon D. Mays of Jackson; daughter Karen Gaskins (Wain) of Memphis ,TN; brothers Tillman Mays (Belinda) and William Mays (Margie) of Jackson; sister Carolyn Mewborn (Ronnie) of Jackson; and grandchildren Patrick Mays, Brad Gaskins, Drew Gaskins, Joseph Gaskins, Isaac Gaskins, Shelby Mays, Caleb Mays, and Nathan Mays.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 11 a.m., two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. The family also requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to a charity of the donor’s choice.