Services for Ella Nell Mays will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at C.P. Bannon Mortuary, 6800 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94621. Visitation is from 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m.
Born in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 19, 1950, Nell, as she lovingly preferred to be addressed, touched so many with her kindness and generosity.
A few years after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Texas State University, Nell relocated to the Bay Area — a place she would call home for 40 years. She was a graceful follower of Christ through her membership with several churches, including Bethel AME of San Francisco and most recently First AME of Oakland. She took great pride in serving others — whether it was helping in the kitchen for Sunday events, working with the women’s ministries, singing in the choir or supporting the youth.
After a 35-year career in marketing with AT&T/SBC Corp-Pacific Bell, Nell retired in 2002. But she remained busy. She volunteered at the Oakland airport from 2003-2014, and had an extensive list of hobbies – traveling, cooking, reading, sewing. However, the one she loved most was quilting. Nell could turn almost anything into a sheer work of art. Whether it was a custom-designed quilt, shoe travel covers, table runners or oven mitts, you could see the love in every stitch. Nell was a longtime member of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland, and she frequently shared her love of quilting with members of the North Oakland Senior Center.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur C. Sr. and Ella Wese Mays. She leaves to cherish her memories brother Arthur C. Mays Jr. and wife Supatra; niece Miriam Mays Flowers and husband John; uncle Marshall Mayes Jr.; aunts Vester Melancon, Mary Benson and Margie Mays, along with countless cousins, friends and neighbors.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a charity close to Nell’s heart:
—East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
—The American Cancer Society
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