The Shadow
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Mary Frances Wright Mays-Davis, 93, passed away peacefully in her home on April 28, 2018.
Mrs. Mays-Davis was a lifelong resident of Covington, VA, and a most-beloved member of that community.
She is survived by her sisters, Ella(Max) Wright Scott Neese ( “Blackie”) and Helen Wright Young; her niece, Suzanne(John) Scott Holley, her stepdaughter Julia Lee(Larry) Davis Brooks, her brother-in-law, Berkley (Mary) Mays, nieces Tammy(Harry) Mays Davis, Sandy(Bill) Mays Garber, nephew, Rick(Melinda) Mays, and several great nieces and nephews.
Mary Frances is also survived by those she considered as family: Barbara (Henry) Claytor Trail, Rick (Rena) Claytor, Kristie(Steve) Claytor , Wayne (Dreama) Ogden, Nancy Byer Wolfe, Sherry (Rick) Byer Breeden, and Beverly Barnett.
Mrs. Mays- Davis was preceded in death by her parents Perry F. Wright and Naomi Simmons Wright, her husbands, James Thomas Mays and John Lee Davis, and her niece, Laura Drumheller Thomas.
Mary Frances graduated from Covington High School, and attended Mary Washington College.
In 1942, she was appointed Deputy Clerk for the first Trial Justice Court of Alleghany County. She served as Clerk of the General District Court and the Alleghany County Juvenile and Domestic Relation Court. She was a charter member of the Association of Clerks of the District Clerks of Virginia. Mary Frances retired from the Supreme Court of Virginia, having served a total of 46 years.
Mary Frances was a devoted and life-long member of the Edgemont Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. She served as a Deacon for 31 years, being one of the first Edgemont women elected to hold that position. She also served her church as YPCU leader, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Chancel Choir. She was President and Chairman of the Women’s Ministries, and served on other various committees. She also organized the Edgemont History Room and Library and coordinated Meals on Wheels. She was presented the Partner in Ministry Award in 2013 and remained the “go to” authority on Edgemont Procedures and questions about members and church history.
Mary Frances was also dedicated to the Covington community.
She was named “Women of the Year” for her involvement in the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was a charter member of the Alleghany County Historical Society, was on the Advisory Board of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, was chairman of the Covington Electoral Board, and a founding board member of the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center. She received the Arts Legacy Award in 2013, commemorating 65 years of service.
Mary Frances (Aunt Susie) will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, VA.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 2, at 3pm at Edgemont A. R. Presbyterian Church, 2306 South Church Street, Covington, VA 24426.
Interment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, Mary Frances requested donations to Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, 1000 Dabney Drive, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or Edgemont Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
The family extends a special thank you to her caregivers Wanda Jamison, Connie Rose, and the Mountain Regional Hospice.
