Shirley F. Mays

Shirley Mae Fitzgerald Mays, 87, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at her residence in Stuarts Draft.

She was born on May 30, 1936, in Staunton to the late George Garber, Sr. and Catherine Craft Fitzgerald. 

Shirley was married to Reverend Walter D. Mays, Sr. on July 2, 1955, in Staunton. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and attended Dunsmore Business College in Staunton. She worked at Staunton Steam Laundry as a bookkeeper until her husband entered the ministry. She was a caregiver to many children over the years. She was also a member of Good News Ministries Pentecostal Holiness Church.

She is survived by her sons, Walter David Mays, Jr., and his wife, Melissa of Roanoke, John Samuel Mays, II and his wife, Julie of Hickory, NC, and Christopher Daniel Mays, Sr. and his wife, Nicole of Waynesboro; her daughters, Gloria “Roxie” Roxanna Dove and her husband, Mike of Staunton, and Cheryl Gilmer and her husband, Bill of Swoope; a sister, Carolyn June Fitzgerald Leach and her husband, Rodney; her grandchildren, Michael Dove, of Vancouver, Canada, Michaela Dove of North Richland Hills, TX, Ashley Mays of Roanoke, Aaron Pierce of Roanoke, Avery Pierce of Roanoke, Garrett Pierce of Roanoke, Justin Bagby of Stuarts Draft, Chad Bagby of Campbellsville, KY, John Mays, II and his wife Bekah, of Hickory, NC, Dylan Mays of Hickory, NC, Joshua Mays of Hickory, NC, Christopher Mays, Jr. and his wife, Taylor of Verona, Landon Mays of Waynesboro, Peyton Mays and his wife Sydney, of Waynesboro, Hailey Ponton and her husband, Eric of Staunton, and Hunter Fitzgerald, also of Staunton; her great grandchildren, Ace Bagby of Campbellsville, KY, Leighton Mays of Hickory, NC, and Copeland Mays of Hickory, NC; and her special friends, Charlie Kelly of Swoope and Brenda Burns of Fishersville.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Walter David Mays, Sr. and a brother, George Garber Fitzgerald, Jr. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 12:00 PM in the Henry Funeral Home chapel with the Reverend Wanda Myers officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Good News Ministries Pentecostal Holiness Church (18 Kerry Lane, Staunton, Virginia, 24401).