Mary Ann Bays

Mary Ann Bays went to be with our Father in Heaven on Sunday March 11, 2018 at the age of 84. Born at home July 10, 1933 in Vanita, OK she had a happy childhood with loving parents Karl (Jack) Dewey Schwartz and Esther Rose (Walz) Schwartz. She had five brothers Aurthur Schwartz, Melvin Schwartz, Merle Schwartz, Thomas Schwartz, Frank Schwartz, and three sisters Emojean (Schwartz) Jackson, Sandy (Schwartz) Hoover and Sunny (Schwartz) Smith. Mary Ann liked to ride her horse named Fanny and attended a one room school house for eight years, then attended and graduated from a Catholic high school. As a teenager and young adult she worked in the McClellan's dime store and, as a candy lover, enjoyed working the candy counter the best. At the age of 18 she met Lewis Valmer Bays and the forever sweethearts were married on 6/22/53. Together they raised six children and lost one as a stillborn. She had an in home daycare for more than 20 years and raised many other babies and children that as adults still came to visit her. She courageously and stubbornly fought kidney and heart failure for more than a decade with the help of Dr. Eric Baker and his nurse Lisa and with the constant loving care of her equally stubborn husband Valmer.

Having almost reached her 65th wedding anniversary, Mary Ann passed to the Lord at home with loving family surrounding her. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, two of her daughters Valerie Ann Bays, Dana Rose Bays, four brothers and one sister. She leaves behind many friends and is survived by family including her husband Lewis Valmer Bays, sons Mark Bays, Donald Bays, Martin Bays (Teresa Bradley Bays), and Karl Bays, and daughter Teresa Cable, brother Thomas Schwartz and sisters Sandy Hoover and Sunny Smith. Also sending her off are 17 grandchildren and 6 great grand children.

Mary Ann thanks for being a great Mom and a patient and loving wife.

Visitation will be at Saint Sabina Catholic Church, 700 Trevis, Belton, MO on Friday, March 16 from 10 AM to 11 AM followed by a service at 11 AM. Internment will be in the Belton Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Saint Sabina Catholic Church or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care 1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy, Ste 200 Kansas City, MO 64114 Funeral arrangements by McGilley & George Funeral Home, Belton, MO (816-966-0250) Condolences to the family may be left at www.mcgilleygeorgebelton.com