Marshall Anderson "Andy" Mays Jr.

1958 - 2022

Marshall Anderson "Andy" Mays Jr.

May 15, 1958 - March 2, 2022

Marshall A. "Andy" Mays Jr., 64, passed away at his home after a long and courageous fight against pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Faye Morman Mays.

Andy was born on May 15, 1958, at Lynchburg Baptist Hospital, the son of Marshall Anderson Mays Sr. and Arlene Bradley Mays of Amherst, Virginia. Andy grew up in Amherst in their home on Ridge Drive and enjoyed a fun-filled and colorful childhood with his siblings Marlene, Doris, and Paula Ann in town and on their family's farm.

He graduated from Amherst High School in 1976. He was an avid golfer and played on the golf team at Lynchburg College. After a year, he transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to join his sister Doris and other friends from Amherst. All can attest Andy was the life of the party and commanded any room with his slim, tall frame, handsome face and friendly demeanor, and excellent dancing. He joined the Phi Gamma Delta "Fiji" fraternity among many other extracurricular activities. He studied Agricultural Business and graduated from the University of Tennessee on December 12, 1980 with a degree in Agriculture.

After graduation, Andy rejoined his father Marshall Mays at their family business, Mays Farmers Service, where he had worked from an early age. Mays Farmers Service was a Southern States franchise that provided farm supplies and services to the residents of Amherst and Nelson counties and surrounding areas for over 50 years. Andy had an excellent work ethic and was a friend to many in his role as general manager and partner of the store. His ability to connect and build relationships was not only good for business but also in helping support the community and the people he loved so dearly. In 2005, Andy struck out with his own business, AMFMenergy, as the Owner and President, to sell refurbished stoves for Englander Stove Works. He loved his work and continued in his role until his passing.

Andy and his devoted wife Faye were married in 1998, and spent over two happy decades together enjoying each other's company. One of their favorite activities was their annual trip to North Myrtle Beach where they danced with their Beach Shag Club. They formed a close-knit community and enjoyed many memorable cruises with the friends they made there. Andy also enjoyed their home life, with many hours spent tinkering around the house and growing tomatoes. Like his mother's father "Grandpa Bradley," he had a gentle soul and a natural love of animals, whether it was his dogs, wildlife around the house, or the many feral cats who would roam nearby. He was an enthusiastic lover of cars, especially his Ford trucks and his various BMWs that he collected over the years.

Andy's appreciation of the game of golf also never faded. He was a scratch golfer, and could be frequently found playing rounds at Winton Country Club with his buddies whom he loved more than the game. He served as Winton Country Club's President in the 2000's and won multiple member-member and member-guest championships (including 1986, 1998, 2018) Was Winton Club Champion in 2001 and Sr. Club Champion in 2013 - as well as winning other local tournaments including 1st place in the CVCC Alumni Open in 2003). His competitive spirit and sense of fun made him a favorite at the club, and we are told that he will be sorely missed.

That competitive spirit translated to his arduous battle with pancreatic cancer. For almost three years, he bravely sought progressive treatments and pushed boundaries to help provide vital research to help further the search for the cure for others afflicted by this terrible disease. He became a source of inspiration to many, including his doctors at the University of Virginia, who dubbed him "The Miracle Man." His friends and family are incredibly proud of how strong he remained in the face of something so daunting, and were doubly impressed with his positivity and indomitable spirit throughout his long struggle.

Andy finally succumbed to the disease on the evening of March 3rd, with his wife Faye by his side. Throughout their many years together, a passage from their wedding vows served as their compass when things became especially difficult:

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but replies with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always endures all things. Love never fails, knowledge and all other things will pass away. But these three things remain faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Corinthians, Chapter 13 verses 4-8 & 13

Faye says that they stuck by this through their marriage and were a strong pair.

Andy was preceded in death by his father and mother, Marshall and Arlene Mays, and his sister, Paula Ann Mays. Andy is survived by his sisters, Marlene Mays Fitzgerald of Amherst, Virginia, and Doris Mays Moses and her husband, J. Steven Moses, of Charleston, W.Va. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces, nephews, and cousins, all keeping him close in prayer.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Reilly and his staff of oncologists and other experts working with Andy at the University of Virginia, as well as the wonderful team from Gentle Shepherd Hospice; and especially Andy's personal caregivers, Sherry Scott and Hannah Brown. A special thank you to Andy's dear and loyal friend, Sammy Massie, for transporting him to and from UVA for his treatments and appointments. They would also like to recognize their friends Bob Harris, Tim Crawford, and Bob Holmes for being the "Emergency" team when needed. Last not but least, the family's sincere thanks goes to cousins Dan and Cindy Sweeney whose generosity and support went unmatched when it was needed most.

The visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022, at The Driskill Funeral Chapel, 201 Grandview Drive, in Amherst from 4 until 6 p.m. for friends and family. The graveside service at Amherst Cemetery will be for family members only.

The family would like to invite everyone to join them afterwards at The Elston Inn Wailes Conference Center, Sweet Briar College for a Celebration of Life Reception from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022, 450 Sweet Briar Drive, Sweet Briar, VA 24595

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests that contributions or gifts be made to the following, American Cancer Society (Lynchburg, 434-845-0973), Amherst Humane Society (434-946-2340), Winton Country Club (Amherst, 434-946-7336), or Lynchburg Area Shag Club (434-426-0418).

Driskill Funeral Chapel

201 Grandview Drive, Amherst, VA 24521