Richard Doward Mays, 82, of Florence, AL, passed from this life on September 2, 2016 at ECM Hospital after a productive and joyful life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Rita Clayton Mays; parents, Elvin E. and Blanche Pilkinton Mays; brothers, Eli and Buford Mays; sisters, Evelyn Buckman, Christine Leanza and Dorothy Hopwood.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Rebecca (Steve) Patterson, Dr. Victoria (Jim) Smith. Richard has one grandchild, Charity W. Trapp and two great-grandchildren, Landon and Reid Trapp. Also surviving is his brother, Harold (Mary) Mayes; as well as, many beloved nieces and nephews.
Richard was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Navy. Richard was a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 760 and enjoyed working on many projects in the Shoals community including TVA and Ford. He and his wife, Rita, loved to work in their beautiful flower garden. He was an avid photographer and loved to travel. He was an enthusiastic University of Alabama fan and attended the Sugar Bowl games with friends and family. Richard was a wonderful cook and for many years made fudge and peanut brittle treats for family and friends at Christmas. Everyone who knew daddy loved and enjoyed his mischievous sense of humor. For such a big man he was known to all for his big heart. He was a teddy bear loving to give and receive hugs in fun times and times of comfort. He loved and appreciated the fun nature of children and the magic of childhood. Everyone was his “favorite”. He made his last cannon ball pool jump for his grandchildren at the age of 80.
He will be missed and remembered, along with his wife, with love and gratitude.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Greenview Funeral Home on Tuesday morning, September 6th. A brief graveside service will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens at 11:30 am.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to: Dr. Felix Morris, Dr. Mitcheal Bowen, Dr. Jeff Hovater, Dr. Anjum, Dr. Abu Said, Dr. Bondagula, ECM’s Oasis Senior Medicine Center, 5th floor ECM staff and ElderCare (Dee and Linda) for the wonderful care and support they gave our father and immediate family.
