Jean Malone Persons Mays

Jean Malone Persons Mays, 93, of Monticello, died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, at Bethany House in Auburn, Ala.

Mrs. Mays was born November 11, 1919 in Monticello, to the late Ray Monroe Persons and Laree Malone Persons.

Ms. Mays lived in Monticello, attended the University of Georgia, and worked in Atlanta and Warner Robins until she married her husband, John Billy Mays, Jr. of Jackson.

She then moved to San Antonio, Texas, while Mr. Mays completed his flight training as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Returning to Monticello, she gave birth to their daughter while he was fighting in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

As an Air Force wife, she traveled with her husband to places far away from her Georgia roots. Bermuda, England, Germany, and Turkey were all homes to her, as well as Maxwell Air Force Base, Auburn, Ala., and Robins Air Force Base.

As a dedicated military wife, she gave her family an immediate feeling of home no matter the challenges she was given. From the haunted house “Hillgrove” in Bermuda, to Quonset huts in Burtonwood, England, English flats in Lancashire, to base housing apartments in Wiesbaden and Ramstein, Germany, she made it feel like home.

Ms. Mays wanted her family to know their Georgia roots no matter how far they were from the United States, and returned to Monticello for Christmas holidays, summer vacations, and extended stays between assignments.

She was a member of Monticello Baptist Church and an active member of the Fidelis Class. She was a lifelong member of the Monticello Garden Club, a Daughter of the American Revolution, a skilled player in several bridge clubs, and a member of the Officers’ Wives Clubs during her active military years.

Her love of medicine prompted her to go back to school and receive her LPN degree in 1970.

Her husband, Lt. Col. John B. Mays, Jr. USAF, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her daughter, Laray Persons Mays-Kelly of Auburn, Ala.; grandson, Raymond F. Newman; granddaughter and namesake, Jean Persons Newman Bostick; great-grandson, Christian Whitfield; her son, John B. Mays, III, Commander, Retired, USN and his wife, Julianna Hessler of Burke, VA; and grandchildren, Selene Katherine Mays, Evan William Mays, and Joseph Christian Bailey Mays.

A graveside service was held August 26 at West View Cemetery in Monticello. Rev. Mike Newman officiated.

Jordan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.  For more information, visit www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.