Beverly Ann Mays

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, Beverly Ann Mays went to be with the Lord. Beverly was born in Chicago, IL on September 24, 1939, to John (Jack) George White and Helen Marie Larson White. She grew up in Wheaton, IL before moving to Florida as a teenager. She graduated from Boone High School and received her degree from Orlando Junior College. Beverly was a recognized beauty in her youth, winning several local pageants and was president of the Phi Alumni Gamma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She worked in insurance and taught Sunday School before marrying Donald R. Mays in 1961 at Delaney Street Baptist Church. Beverly was a natural connector in the community, always welcoming everyone who came to her door. She genuinely cared for people and was a trusted and loyal friend. She had a talent for needlework, knitting and quilting, and spent many hours lovingly crafting unique works of art to share with friends. She adored Regency romance novels and loved a good murder mystery, never missing an episode of “Murder She Wrote,” “NCIS,” or “Midsommer Murders.” With a book and her library card always nearby, she instilled a love of reading for pleasure in her children, a life changing gift of imagination and joy which has passed down to her granddaughters. She loved to travel, flying with Don in his Piper airplane across the East coast, covering the U.S. from Florida to Vancouver, Canada in a VW bus, and exploring Western Europe. When at home, her house was the place where all the children of the neighborhood were welcome to come and play and just be a kid. As a result, her house wasn’t always a showpiece, but it was full of energy, excitement, imagination and love. She was the keeper of the flame for the family’s Swedish heritage, keeping traditions alive in stories of Ellis Island, early Chicago and Pepparkakor cookies. Beverly was a faithful member of the Calvary “Women of the Word” bible study for over 30 years. She loved gospel music of all kinds and fearlessly celebrated her faith in music and teaching the Word. The angel among us, she was always there with wise counsel and patience, and her family knew that she always, always had their backs. She was a girl from Chicago, a beauty queen, a scholar, a faithful wife, a loving mother and a cornerstone of friendship in the community. She is survived by daughters Amanda and Julia and granddaughters Scarlett and Sophie. She was preceded in death by her husband, father, mother and her brothers Jay and Phillip. Arrangements are entrusted to A Community Funeral Home at 910 W. Michigan Street. A funeral service will be held at Calvary Orlando on Monday, June 24, at 2 pm in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.

Beverly Ann Mays

September 24, 1939 - June 15, 2024