Larry Mays, 80, of Van Buren, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020 in Fort Smith. He was born July 8, 1940 in Bearden, AR. Larry came to the Fort Smith area in 1962 to build residential homes with his father, J.L. His son, Tim, joined the building business in 1987. Larry continued building residential homes until he retired in 2002. Prior to his retirement, he is credited with building more than 1,400 homes in the Fort Smith region. He served in the Army National Guard; and was President of the Greater Fort Smith Homebuilders Association for multiple terms. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.L. and Louise Mays; and a sister, Launelda Baker.
He is survived by his wife, Erma of the home; a daughter, Marsha Crow and husband David of Marble City, OK; two sons, Rev. Rick Mays and wife Clair of Arkadelphia; and Tim Mays and wife Deena of Van Buren; seven grandchildren, Robert Crow and wife Ashley, Rev. Andrew Crow and wife Mary, Rev. Caleb Mays and wife Michelle, Jessica Meadors and husband Logan, Colten Mays and wife Jessica, Joshua Mays, and Spencer Mays; and eight great-grandchildren, Levi, Laura, Elijah, Aubree, Aaron, Luke, Ellis, and baby Mays.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Butterfield Assembly of God with a private family committal to follow at Gill Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR. The service will be live-streamed on Butterfield Assembly of God’s Facebook page.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Viewing will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2020 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR; and from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church.
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