Obituaries

Joseph Oliver Wendell Mays

Funeral services for Joseph Oliver Wendell Mays, age 64, of Dermott, Ark. will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24th 2013. Service will be held at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 1109 North School, Dermott, Ark., Rev. Ricky Lattimore, Pastor; Rev. R.C. Barnes, officiating Minister. Joseph Oliver Wendell Mays was born to the union of Lemard and James Mays on Nov. 19, 1948 in Dermott, Ark. He was the sixth of seven children. Joseph attended and graduated from Chicot County High School in Dermott in 1966. During this time Joe delivered "The GRIT" newspaper and earned the nickname "Grit" from his classmates. He remained in close contact with his classmates. After graduation from high school, he attended AM&N College (UAPB) from 1967-1969. Later, he moved to Chicago and worked for Associated Truck Lines until 1980. Then, he relocated back to Dermott to aid his parents. Joseph, being fond of music, began a new career in Radio Broadcasting with KDDA in Dumas and WBAD in Greenville, Miss. He retired in 2004. During his life, Joseph was a member of many organizations, Ziff Lodge #119, Electra-Triumphant #348 Order of Easter Star, St. Paul Community Brotherhood, East-Side Rural Alliance Community, Chamber of Commerce, Dermott School Board, and a faithful member of the Dermott Mid-Week Service. He enjoyed collecting coins, reading the Bible and talking to family and friends. Joseph passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pine Bluff, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Frederick Brown. Leaving as survivors: his wife, Stephanie Mays of Dermott, Ark.; two daughters, Pamela Johnson of Dallas, Texas and Jasmine Mays of Dermott; one son, Joseph G. Mays of Dermott; three brothers, John H. Mays (Bobbie) of St. Louis, Mo., Lemard Mays Jr. (Guelda) of Laurelton, N.Y., and Cletis Mays of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; two sisters, Marva Anyanwu (Ibe) of Chicago, Ill., and Vesta Naiteele Allen of Detroit, Mich.; three grandchildren. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Hurds, Ark. Services entrusted to Dillard Funeral Home and Staff, 210 North Trotter St., Dermott, Ark. A family hour will be held at Ash Street Missionary Baptist Church from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. The family will be at 311 North Shepherd St., Dermott, Ark.

Published February 23, 2013

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