Mymie Jean Mays

Mymie Jean McCollister Mays, 80, returned to her heavenly home on May 27, 2015 after a valiant battle with a long illness. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.

Jean was born to the late Marcellus and Ruth McCollister, regional agents for the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, in Center, Texas on July 3, 1934. She was immersed in the Christian community that would be her lifelong support from an early age. She taught Sunday school to younger students as a teenager and played piano for the church choir. Ms. Mays graduated from Jarvis Christian College with a B.S.Ed. and accepted a position as an elementary teacher in Garrison, Texas where she began her teaching career. Ms. Mays would go on to teach another 32 years with Austin ISD, from where she’d later retire.

Jean was united in marriage to Rev. Garland L. Mays, Sr. From their union two children were born; Kelvin Cedric and Debra Rena’. From the very beginning she dedicated her children to God. She encouraged them to explore the beauty of worship music and song, leading both to become adamant participants in praise and devotion.

Jean was an educator at heart. She was kind yet firm and always had time to help others. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Garland L. Mays and son, Kelvin Cedric Mays.

Jean leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Debra Burgess (William) of Austin; three granddaughters, Jasmine Merritt (Richard), and Kiana and Sydney Burgess; one sister, Patsy Ruth Patton of San Antonio; her three best friends, Dorothy Alexander, Loretta Hill and Lola Carter and a host of family and friends.

Jean’s family will greet guests at a visitation to be held on Monday, June 1, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Capitol Room of Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. A celebration of Jean’s life and home going will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Grant A.M.E. Worship Center, 1701 Kramer Lane in Austin, Texas. Committal services will follow at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.

Jean’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Gentiva Hospice, the Pflugerville Care Center and to Leslie Higgins and Yolanda Rivas for the compassionate and respectful care they provided to Ms. Mays during her illness.

Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for more information and to share memories with her family.