Jesse W. Mays

MAYS, Jesse W., age 82, of Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of Clarktown and Chillicothe, joined his beloved wife, Pearlie Mays of 60 years in heaven, as he passed away August 8, 2013, at the Christian Care Center in Smyrna, Tennessee. Pearlie went to Heaven April 10, 2011.

He was born June 9, 1931, in Lucasville, a son of the late John and Birch (Adkins) Mays.

His career as a successful route salesman in the wholesale confectionery business spanned 40 years and nine counties in the southern and central Ohio area. Many of those years were spent as a partner in the Miller Candy Co. of Chillicothe before retiring from Ohio Valley Wholesale in 1996. His customers valued not only his service to them, but also his friendship. He attended Una Baptist Church where his son-in-law is the pastor. He went to Valley High School.

Jesse and Pearlie were married May 7, 1950, in Lucasville. Surviving are one daughter Brenda (Larry) Floyd of Antioch, TN; two sons Gary (Debbie) Mays of Knoxville, TN, and Jeff (Susan) Mays of Butler, NJ; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Amanda, Laura, Brett, Ryan, and Jarrett; eight great-grandchildren;and three brothers, Thomas Mays Jr., Charles Mays and Loren "Dee" Mays.

He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Louise Helton, Fronnie Wolgamott; and three brothers, William Escue Mays, George Asa Mays, and James Mays.

Jesse was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. He looked forward to and longed to be reunited with his wife Pearlie and other loved ones who went on before him. His two favorite scriptures were Psalm 23 and John 3:16 which he committed to memory.

Visitation will take place at the McKinley Funeral Home in Lucasville on Monday, August 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a graveside service will follow in the Lucasville Cemetery at 1:30 p..m. with Larry Floyd officiating.