Nancy Lee Mays

Nancy Lee Mays (Offield) 80, of El Dorado Springs, MO passed away February 6, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinsons Disease.

Nancy was born on October 24, 1945, to Lecil and Rosemary (Hendrickson) Offield, in Kansas City, MO. At the age of 5, Nancy's mother was tragically killed in a car accident. She and her younger sister, Doris went to live with their grandparents, Grace and Tom Hendrickson of El Dorado Springs. Her baby sister, Linda Kaye was taken to Chicago, IL and raised by her Aunt Helen.

Nancy learned at a young age how to make do with very little. At the time of her mother's death her grandparents still had two young children living at home, so adding two small girls made things very difficult. As Nancy would say "they were poor as church mice". Regardless of their circumstances, her grandmother did her best to raise them with lots of love.

Nancy graduated from El Dorado Springs High in 1963. During her school years she had many friends and stories to tell. She was very talented in art and music, learning to play the piano as a young girl and illustrating one of the yearbooks in high school. It was there she met and married her sweetheart, Lural Mays. She always said she chased him hard and finally caught him.

Lural and Nancy were married on February 17, 1963. They had 3 children, Angela Kaye, Christina Gayle and Chad Aaron. Family was everything to Nancy. She said when she married and gained a mother-in-law, she actually gained a mother. Jean Mays Parsley stepped into that roll.

Growing up without a mother or father left Nancy with a yearning to always have her family close. She would work all week and every Sunday fix lunch after church for the family. This tradition continues to this day with her daughters and daughter-in-law taking over after she could no longer stand. She always wanted to know what was going on in her children's lives. They knew they would get an early Saturday morning phone call from Mom and usually a couple throughout the week just to catch up. Thanks to her, they all continue to have a close relationship.

Nancy held several jobs over the years. She worked at International Shoe Company, El Dorado High School secretary, Contel Phone Company, Secretary to the Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Ash, Secretary to Sam Short, Attorney at Law, and lastly Witt Printing Company where she retired in 2012. She made many, many friends throughout those years.

One of Nancy's greatest joys was becoming a grandmother. She had a special relationship with her grandchildren, Carrie McWilliams, Glenn Roe and Kaghan Mays. They spent many hours at Grandma's house, always staying busy doing crafts, cooking, decorating cakes or just playing outside. It was always fun at Grandma and Grandpa's. She was always faithful to attend any event they were involved in. As her youngest grandchildren Talon, Jacob and Allison and her great- grandchildren Kassidee, Kaela, Kason, Jaxon, Lukas, Ember and Ellie Jo came along, due to her disease she was unable to do as much with them but still attended their events and loved having them at the house, just spending time with them.

Nancy and Lural were very active. Early in their marriage they rode motorcycles with friends and took several vacations on the motorcycle. They also would take the kids to Sac River to swim and picnic. Later they would go to Colorado with their best friends, Rhonda and Ken Culbertson and camp and hike in the mountains. Nancy would bring home smooth Colorado rocks to paint for her family. One time they had so many rocks in the back of the truck, they almost turned the truck over going up to Carson Ghost Town, the rocks all shifted to one side. If you haven't been there, the road is treacherous. After retirement they began taking the camper to Florida for several weeks in the winter. Nancy loved to get up early and go to the beach and pick up shells. She would bring home the many shells she had collected. On their last trip to Florida due to Nancy's failing health, Angie, Chris and Chad flew down and spent a few days with them. It truly was one of the best family vacations they had.

One very important part of Nancy's life was her relationship with God and her church. Her grandmother took them to the Old Flat Church in El Dorado Springs. She was saved as a young girl and was taught the importance of church attendance. After getting married, her and Lural started attending a small church in town that was just getting started, Bethel Freewill Baptist Church. Here is where they settled in with their children. Nancy played the piano, taught Sunday School, helped with Ladies Groups, Bible School, children's programs, church dinners and anything else that needed done. She also played the piano and sang in a singing group for several years. She had a beautiful soprano voice but could also harmonize when needed. She would fix Sunday lunch for guests or friends. This could include her children's friends, her grandchildren's friends or maybe a homeless transient that Lural invited. She would smile and set another plate. She was dedicated to God and church her entire life.

As her Parkinsons progressed she did her best to hide her pain from the family. Between migraines, osteoporosis which destroyed her spine and two broken hips from falls, she rarely complained. She was such a strong person who loved God, life and family to the fullest.

Nancy is survived by her husband Lural Mays, her children Angie (Denny) McWilliams, Chris (Scott) Roe, Chad (Jennifer) Mays all of El Dorado Springs, MO. Her grandchildren Carrie McWilliams Shane, Glenn (Amber) Roe, Kaghan (Mikayla) Mays, Talon Stern, Jacob Mays and Allison Mays. Her great-grandchildren Kassidee Shane, Kaela Shane, Kason Roe, Jaxon Roe, Lukas Mays, Ember Mays and Ellie Jo Mays. Her sister Linda Angelilli, her aunt Dorothy Hawkins and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosemary and Lecil Offield, her sister Doris Gunter, father-in-law Elmer Mays, mother and father-in-law Charles and Jean Parsley, two grandsons, Dillion Roe and Trenton Roe.

Her services will be Thursday, February 12 at Bland Hackleman Funeral Home with Visitation from 9:00 to 10:00 and service beginning at 10:00. Interment will be in Love Cemetery.