Robert Arthur Mays Jr.

Mr. Robert A. Mays, Jr., 98 years young, took his final earthly breath the evening of May 30, 2024, peacefully in his sleep. While today we mourn his absence, there is no doubt the party that greeted him at Heaven’s Gate was standing room only. Welcoming him into God’s Kingdom was his mother and father, beloved sister Mildred, brother-in-law Johnny, countless friends, golfing partners, drinking buddies and everyone who had the good fortune to know him during his long life.

Bob was born August 8, 1925, in Hopewell, Virginia to Robert and Maud Venable Mays. On his 18th birthday, he joined the United States Marine Corps to serve his country during World War II. He deployed to the South Pacific spending time in Guadalcanal, Pavuvu, New Caledonia and Okinawa. Having worked part-time at the post office in high school, the Marines assigned him to Headquarters Postal Section active duty. He distributed huge accumulations of mail to Marines throughout their time in the South Pacific. During the first wave invasion at the Battle of Okinawa, Bob manned the 50-caliber machine gun on the landing craft. Amazingly, no shots were fired. But he did enjoy telling how he sprained his ankle jumping off the landing craft. He also spent time as a stretcher-bearer on Okinawa but returned to postal duties once the island was secured. He was discharged in 1946 and returned home to Hopewell. As a Marine Reservist, Bob was called back to active duty during the Korean War. Fortunately, his service was spent stateside at Camp Lejeune. His service to his country during a time of war has always been one of his proudest accomplishments.

Returning home, Bob resumed his work at the post office until he entered college at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. There he excelled in the music program and found success in vocal performance which he carried with him throughout his life, later singing with the Don Trexler Singers, opera star Beverly Sills, the Greensboro Oratorio Society and eventually at his granddaughter’s weddings. He graduated with a teaching degree in Music Education from ECU in 1951 and remained a loyal Pirate, funding a Teaching Scholarship given in his name and receiving ECU Alumni of the Year in 1973. After college, Bob had a brief career as a high school music teacher, followed by work as a trucking company manager which brought him to Greensboro, NC. Here he became interested in the Insurance industry and soon became part owner of an agency. He eventually purchased the company, and it became Mays Insurance Agency in 1970, a business he spearheaded for nearly 30 years.

Upon retirement, Bob enjoyed golfing, fishing, evenings at the Elks Club with his close friends at the ‘Table of Knowledge’, ECU Football, Sunday dinners with family, watching Desperate Housewives and dreaming of winning the lottery. Family always came first to Bob and he never missed a Christmas, birthday, graduation or family celebration.

Loving and missing him dearly are his longtime caregivers, son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly, of Aurora, NC; daughter, Bess Beasley and husband, Robin, of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Mariah (Ryan), Kelsey (Ben), Samantha (Jeff) and Spenser (Niki); great-grandchildren, Olive, Gus, Aven, Ellie, Mac, Mayson, Finley, Wyatt, Lucy, Clark, Drew; and his beloved nieces from Hopewell, Maud Ann Sharp Wilson, Nancy Sharp Karabaich, Jane Sharp Bujakowski, and their families.

The family will hold a visitation at 11am Saturday June 8th at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home, 52 Bryant Street, Alliance, NC 28509. At noon, military funeral honors will be held at the funeral home. After, friends are welcome at 1940 Canady Landing Road, Aurora, NC 27806 for refreshments and comradery to celebrate this great man and the full life that he lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests prayers and sympathy cards with stories and memories.