Rebecca King Mays

Rebecca King Mays (née Rebecca Vinton King), 85, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, at the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke, Virginia.

Rebecca was born on February 18, 1940, in Quincy, Illinois, and grew up in Jacksonville, Illinois. As a lifelong lover of books and learning, she earned her bachelor's degree in English literature from Beloit College and later completed a master's degree in library science from Rosary College. She worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago as Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services before devoting herself full-time to motherhood and an extraordinary life of volunteer service.

She is survived by her daughter, Julia Hurley (Ken); grandchildren Tierney Mays, Mariella Hurley, and Wyatt Hurley; and nieces Ann VanConia, Nancy Melin, and Carrie Melin. She is also survived by her dearest friend and honorary family member, Jane Buckwalter.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Mays; and her cherished sisters, Jane Melin and Carol Turpin.

Throughout her life, Rebecca was guided by curiosity, warmth, and a profound desire to connect with others. She was the most extroverted person many of us have ever known-always ready to ask a question, share a laugh, or take note of the details that made each person unique. She quite literally carried a notebook everywhere, jotting down names, places, and life stories because she deeply valued everyone and wanted to remember what made each person so special. She also wrote an extraordinary number of postcards and letters to her friends and family, always reaching out with love, wit, and genuine interest in others' lives.

Her passions included reading, promoting literacy, and dedicating herself to the causes and people she cared about. She was a longtime member of PEO, Friends of the Library, the Order of the Daughters of the King, the Democratic Party, and many other human interest organizations. Her generosity of spirit touched innumerable lives in her immediate communities and beyond.

A celebration of Rebecca's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

PEO International

- St. John's Episcopal Church in Bedford, VA

- St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Christiansburg, VA

- Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke, VA

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Showalter Center at Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg, VA, who cared for Rebecca in her final years with kindness and dignity.