Neal Mayes

Herbert “Neal” Mayes quietly went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 . He was born December 14, 1929, the second of four children, to C.E. and Ruth Mayes in Graham, Texas. He graduated from Graham High School in 1947 and married Mary Glynn Bills the same year in Newcastle Texas. They were married for 71 years and proud parents of three children.

Neal started out working in the oil field delivering tools and then gradually moving up through the ranks with Continental Oil, Gulf Oil and retiring with Chevron. His work included years in Nocona, Graham, Abilene and Wichita Falls, Texas, Jackson, Mississippi and finally retiring in Houston, Texas. He was a hard worker and a loving dad, always planning ahead to help his family love the Lord first and foremost, have a home that was loving and safe and be able to experience life in other ways such as camping, water skiing, and visiting many vacation spots.

While Neal was still living at home, he and his mother, Ruth Mayes, attended a revival at the First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas where they both accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Neal continued seeking the Lord and helped in many ministries throughout his lifetime. Several of these were serving as a deacon in the church—ministering to widowed members, traveling with several mission building groups, and delivering food to the church food pantry. He also was a member of the Gideons and enjoyed delivering Bibles to school children. He enjoyed music from an early age. He was a member of the Graham High School marching band and also enjoyed playing the banjo and mandolin. He and his son, daughter-in-law, grandson and a few friends formed a music group, The Jammers, where they enjoyed playing and entertaining together.

In addition to three children, Neal and his wife, Mary, had seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. These families have enjoyed growing up with their Dad and Granddad giving rides on the tractor, camping out, building bonfires and roasting marshmallows, enjoying music and being together. The strength of the family is nurtured by knowing and loving each other and supporting each other.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Mayes of Grandview, Texas, his parents, C. E. Mayes of Murray, Texas, Ruth Mayes of DeLeon, Texas, two brothers and one sister, Ray Mayes (Betty) of Etoile, Texas, Cecil Mayes (Joyce) of Breckenridge, Texas and one sister, Freda Stacy (Don) of Clifton, Texas.

Neal is survived by his daughter, Joy Mayes Easley (Mike), son, Robert (Bob) Neal Mayes (Vicki), daughter, Terri Mayes Garner (Richard), grandchildren, Jesse Easley (Amy), Carly Farris (C. W.), Chris Mayes, Bobby Mayes (Cayla), Rachel Barnard (Clay), Brent Garner (April), Stephen Garner (Samantha), 16 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Don Stacy of Lampasses, Texas and many nieces, nephews and cousins.