Wayne Eugene Mays, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away on October 20, 2023 at the age of 87. He was surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Erma Maxwell Mays; his father, James Vando Mays; his brother, Donald Mays, and his great granddaughter, Martha Grace Oldham. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Hazel Lorene Mays; his two loving daughters and sons-in-law, Denise and Mike Hamner; Amy and Troy Woodis; his sister, Norma Jean Goode of Melbourne, Florida. Wayne was a wonderful “Papaw” to his 9 grandchildren: Josh Hamner, Elizabeth (Dustin) Wade, Kelsea (Logan) Oldham, Grace Anne (Braiton) Hargrove, Meredith (Hunter) Nicholson, Mary Katherine (Will Thompson) Vanderpool, Huston (Lindsey) Woodis, Anna Grace Woodis, and Max (Belle LouAllen) Vanderpool; and his 11 great-grandchildren, Mary Emma Oldham, Liz-Anne Wade, Hayes Oldham, Penelope Hamner, Molly Margaret Oldham, Abra Hargrove, Mae Catherine Oldham, Hayden Hamner, McCartney Nicholson, Noel Hargrove, and Collins Woodis. Wayne was born on August 21, 1936. He graduated from Hamilton High School and furthered his education at Larimore Business College. It was there that he met the love of his life, Hazel, in 1958. Wayne retired from the shipping department of the Reynolds Metal Alloys Company in 1998. Wayne was a devoted father, always prioritizing the care and well-being of his family above all else. Wayne’s kind and gentle spirit blessed everyone who knew him. He exemplified a love for Christ and had a passion for helping anyone who needed it. At his home in Killen, Wayne enjoyed gardening and grew beautiful flowers that he liked to share with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His passion for reading and crossword puzzles kept his mind sharp, and he could often be found engrossed in a book or working on a challenging puzzle. His unwavering faith was exemplified through his active participation in the Atlas Church of Christ, where he served as an inspiration to others for over six decades. The family will hold a public graveside service on Tuesday, October 24th at 1 pm at Tri Cities Memorial Gardens in Florence. The funeral will be officiated by Miles Stutts. The Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 pm at Atlas Church of Christ, located at 3461 Lauderdale Co. 73, Killen, Alabama. Pallbearers will include Josh Hamner, Dustin Wade, Logan Oldham, Braiton Hargrove, Huston Woodis, Max Vanderpool, and Hunter Nicholson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Troy Woodis, Mike Hamner, and Selton Killen. The family kindly requests that donations in memory of Wayne be made to Killen Public Library – 325 J.C. Mauldin Highway, Killen, Alabama 35645. Greenhill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
