Raymond Berkley Mays, age 86, of E. Gordon Street, Covington, Virginia passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022, at LewisGale Hospital-Salem.
He was born May 5, 1936, in Covington, Virginia to the late Harry A. Mays, Sr. and Nancy Ethel Hilton Mays. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, retired from Westvaco after 40 years and worked at Loving Funeral Home for several years after retirement. Berkley was a life member of Westvaco First AId Squad, a life member of the American Legion for 56 years, a life member of the Covington Moose Lodge #610 and a former leader of Boy Scout Troop #28. He was a member of Edgemont Presbyterian Church where he was a dedicated Sunday school teacher for the men’s bible class and was recently honored with the title of Elder Emeritus on June 26, 2022.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Jean Mays; 3 brothers, Harry (Barbara), James (Mary Frances) and Bill (Eunice) Mays; a sister, Dorothy (John) McDonald; a son-in-law, Gary Brackenridge; and a grandson, Matthew Paxton.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Hutchens Mays; two sons, Britt (Karen) Mays, all of Covington and Dean (Cindy) Lunsford of Vesuvius; three daughters, Tanya Brackenridge, Devone (Gary) Bess and Gail (Krist) Walker all of Covington; nine grandchildren, Stephen Bland (Charlee), Krystal Mays, Dabney Lunsford, Lindsay Bess (Trevor), Rebecca Brill (Mark), Devan Bess, John Lunsford, Tiffany Thomas and Jason Brackenridge (Laura); three great-grandchildren, Cadence and Sawyer Bland, Madelynn Morris; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on July 26, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Edgemont Presbyterian Church, Covington with Reverend Donnie Martin and Reverend Jim Giles officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Covington.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 A.M. until time of service at the church.
Graveside rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #4.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Edgemont Presbyterian Church, 2306 South Church Avenue, Covington, VA 24426.
Loving Funeral Home is honored to be handling the arrangements for our beloved friend and co-worker, “Candy Man”.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
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