Raymond Mays

Raymond Mays was born on September 9, 1936, in Ringgold, Louisiana, to the union of Edgar and Vera Mays. Remembered for his fondness for simple things in life. Raymond enjoyed spending his time with family and exploring the great outdoors on fishing, hunting, or camping trips.  

In 1955, Raymond and his family moved to Phoenix. Raymond strengthened his faith by worshiping alongside his family at St. John Institutional Baptist Church. Although some of his relatives thought he would become a preacher, most of his work history was in the construction industry. Raymond was a jack-of-all-trades, often found tinkering in the garage stemming from his work as an auto mechanic. Later, his wife and him began investing in real estate properties, showcasing their shared entrepreneurial spirits. 

In the early 1960s, a sibling introduced Raymond to his loving wife, Enedina, and as they say, “the rest was history.” Their family included 4 children: Yvonne, Grace, Daniel, and Silvia. Raymond was happiest when surrounded by loved ones, and cherished the moments spent together at family gatherings. He was known for his love of reading the newspaper, playing cards or dominoes, watching CNN, and listening to Motown music. 

Raymond departed this earthly life on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Both his parents, Edgar “Jake”, and Vera; his siblings, Edgar II “June bug”, Lamon “Cowboy”, Exton Sr., and Edward “Ed”; and his daughter, Yvonne, preceded his death. Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Enedina; two daughters: Grace (Johnny), and Silvia (Salvatore); one son, Daniel; two siblings: Damond (Linda) and Lucille; four grandchildren: Toni, Blanca, Daniel, and Sterling, all of Phoenix; and a host of other beloved relatives. 

We invite family and friends to honor his legacy, share stories, and celebrate his life. Let us find solace in the memories shared and comfort, acknowledging his spirit will live on in our hearts forever. May he rest in peace.

In memory of Raymond Mays, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest Chapter at https://www.alz.org/dsw. Your support will help in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.