Ross Whitfield Mayes

Ross Whitfield Mayes, 90, of the Cool Spring community and last surviving child of the William Claude and Margaret Estelle Cornelius Mayes family, died Monday, December 19, 2016 at Autumn Care of Statesville. Upon Ross’s graduation at 17 as valedictorian of the 1943 class of Cool Spring High School, he registered as required and by September was drafted to serve in the Army Engineers during WWII. He saw service in Italy, building bridges and removing land mines during the last stages of the war in the European theater. His division was crossing the ocean on the way to the Philippines to build an airport when Japan surrendered and they joyfully returned to the US to complete their service time testing bulldozers for the Army while stationed at Fort Knox. Upon returning to civilian life, he married Agnes Rebecca Crawford, also of the Cool Spring community. He lived as an active member of the New Salem United Methodist Church where he was especially dedicated to missions and served 60 years as a Sunday school teacher. He was employed by the US Postal Service until 1986 as a rural mail carrier on Route 9. Upon his retirement he continued farming and worked at Southern States and later at Lowry Livestock Feeds and in his beloved garden where he produced vegetables and flowers to share. Proceeding Ross in death in addition to his parents were his siblings, J. Burette Mayes (Pauline), Elmer Mayes (Lessie), Gladys Walker (Lester), Marie Bell (Woodrow), Raymond Mayes (Sudie) and Glenn Mayes. Survivors include his wife of 67 years Agnes Mayes, sons Richard Mayes (Penny) of Durham and Steven Mayes (Jan) of Statesville. Four grandchildren, Laura Cook (Preston), Jessica Mayes, Sam Mayes and Georgeanna Keller. He is also survived by three sisters in law, Mabel Mayes, Sara Wolfson and Betty Crawford. Services honoring his life will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2016 at New Salem UMC and will be led by the Rev. David Gay and Rev. Donald Haynes. Friends will be received in the Fellowship Hall starting at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military rites. Pallbearers will be Doug Harbin, Robin Miller, Henry Rumple Dean McNeely, Wayne Mayes and Joe Mayes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Missions Programs of New Salem UMC, 155 New Salem Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 or to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com The family would like to thank Sherrie’s In Home Care and the staff of Autumn Care for their care during Ross’s illness. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Ross Mayes.