Barbourville, Ky. – Jimmy Mays, 84, passed away May 25, 2022. Jimmy was the son of Willie T. Mays and Ida McVey Mays born to them on May 10, 1938, in Heidrick, Knox County, Kentucky. Jimmy united in marriage to Betty Jane Mills on October 1, 1955, and to this union eight children were born.
Jimmy was a kind and hardworking man. He was a member of Roadside Baptist Church. Jimmy was a retired miner who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and collecting knives and guns. Above all else, though, Jimmy loved spending time with cherished family.
In addition to his parents, Willie T. Mays and Ida McVey Mays, Jimmy was preceded in death by his dear wife of 63 years Betty Jane Mills Mays, brothers Charles Mays, Harold Mays, Preston Mays, Lewis Mays, Willie Mays, and twin Johnny Mays, and sisters Gretchen Mays, Dorothy Thomas, and Thelma Middleton.
Left behind to mourn his passing are son Jimmy Mays Jr. and wife Madeline of Bimble, Kentucky, Sandra Nolan and husband Earl of Gray, Kentucky, Sharon Helton and husband George Alan of Barbourville, Kentucky, Charlotte Bingham of Barbourville, Kentucky, Randy Mays of Barbourville, Kentucky, Gary Mays and wife Beulah of Corbin, Kentucky, Tammy Peters and husband Stewart of Barbourville, Kentucky, and Terry Mays and wife Mendy of Barbourville, Kentucky; and siblings Jewell Abrams, Betty Rice, and Denver Mays. Eleven grandchildren, Clint Mays, Ryan Mays, Kevin Mays, Madison Mays, Morgan Mays, Taylor Mays, Shane Bingham, Micah Bingham, Misty Helton Ross, George Michael Helton, and Ashley Herald, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Emilee Reese Bingham, Haiden Bingham, Emily Nicole Ruth Bingham, Camden Helton, Blakelyn Reece Helton, Gabe Ross, and Vance Ross also survive Jimmy and will miss him dearly.
The Mays Family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home on Sunday, May 29, 22 from 1:00 PM until the funeral hour of 3:00 PM. Reverend Ernie Wyatt will officiate assisted by Jimmy’s grandson Shane Bingham. Musical tributes to be performed by Jamie Bingham, Loretta Wyatt, Vanessa Wyatt Mounce and Roy Smith. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Henry Mills Cemetery at Hinkle, Knox County, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are Clint Mays, Ryan Mays, Shane Bingham, Micah Bingham, Michael Helton, Kevin Mays, and Robert Ross. Honorary Casket Bearers are members of the Roy and Mandy Smith family.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, our Directors, Mrs. Bonita Bingham Creech and Mr. Robin Reese, and our staff express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Jimmy Mays.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Mr. Jimmy Mays.
