Elva Woytek Mays

Elva Anne Mays, age 85, died after an extended battle with Dementia on February 5, 2026 .

Elva Mays is survived by her son Clifton Mays and daughters Anne Haddix and Catherine Fedotin.

She is preceded in death by her parents Clifton and Norma Woytek of Beaumont, Texas. Husband John R. Mays and brother David Woytek.

Elva Ann Mays was born on March 10, 1940 in Beaumont Texas to Clifton and Norma Woytek. Her father served as Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beaumont, Texas. She graduated from Beaumont High School in 1958 and continued her education at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin for two years. An Ophthalmologist who was a friend of the family offered her a job if she would train to be an orthoptic technician. Elva's training was at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

Elva married John Rushing Mays on August 29, 1964. John was a teacher at Lamar University in Beaumont . The couple moved to Boulder, Colorado so John could pursue his graduate studies in Civil Engineering. After receiving his PhD in 1967, he joined the faculty at the University of Colorado.

As they settled in to Colorado living, they adopted 2 children as well as taking guardianship of a third child (Catherine) later in life. Elva was very active in the Gideons International for most of her adult life. Her husband was a State Representative so she travelled throughout the United States supporting the Gideons and helping the Auxiliary distribute scriptures to nurses and hospital around the US.

Both she and John enjoyed travel and have journeyed far and wide. From trips around South America, all through the Caribbean and across Europe, Elva and John enjoyed experiencing the festivities and culture that the world has to offer.

After her husband retired, they moved to High Point, North Carolina and established relationships with a local church and enjoyed exercising daily with members of the YWCA and YMCA – of which both she and John were members.

Her family and friends will always remember her as a bright spot in their day and a person always willing to lend a hand to get things done.

Due to the nature of her illness, she was confined to nursing care for the past 3 years and had limited contact with friends from the Y and Church, so no memorial is scheduled at this time. If you wish to leave a message or share your stories, you can do so on the Cumby Funeral Home website. All are welcome to share your stories and memories of Elva and her life. In Lieu of flowers, donations to the Dr. John R. Mays Endowed Scholarship fund in Civil Engineering are encouraged and you can learn more at elvamays.com.