Trilby J. Mays

1926 - 2021

MAYS, Trilby J., "Tutu," 94, died peacefully at her home on August 1, 2021. Trilby was born on September 6, 1926 to Marvin Bernard Johnson and Irene Davis Johnson in Northampton County, N.C. After graduating from high school, she attended East Carolina University before moving to Richmond, Virginia to study nursing. She met her husband, Wilton Mays, in Richmond. As a wife of a serviceman, she traveled throughout the U.S. and overseas. Her career started out as a mother, but shifted to the workforce and she worked at several companies before retiring from Virginia Housing and Development Authority in 1998. Trilby had many interests and always kept busy. She was an avid gardener and loved to work in her yard. She enjoyed dancing, especially square dancing and was a member of the Tuckahoe Square Dance Club. She was a member of the of the Monument Heights Woman's Club and served as president for two years. She also was a member of the Moose Lodge #699 and WOTM #1078. Trilby loved traveling in her RV and she was interested in her family history. She enjoyed sharing family history stories with everyone, family and friends. She lived, loved and laughed life to the fullest. Her motto in life was "Keep Moving," whether by walking, dancing or gardening. It took one woman to raise five children but towards the end, it took five children to care for one woman. She taught her family to be thrifty, independent and to love one another and God. Trilby was much loved and will be dearly missed. She was a good mother, good friend and a true child of God.

Along with her parents; she was preceded in death by her sisters, Catherine Taylor and Thadys Dewar; brothers, Marvin Johnson Jr. and Louis Johnson; and her husband, Wilton G. Mays. She is survived by her sister, Miriam Rasberry; her five loving children, Kenneth (Jacque), Stewart (Karen), Janet (Ray), Kathy (David) and Anita (Robert); and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Thank you to Capital Caring Hospice for all the care they provided.

Remains rest at Bridgers Funeral Home, Conway, North Carolina. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, August 14, 2021, 1 p.m. at Roberts Chapel Baptist Church, 2617 Britton Road, Pendleton, N.C. Masks are required. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Capital Caring Health on behalf of Trilby Mays, 9020 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 170, Richmond, Va. 23235. Flowers can be ordered with Christie's Flowers, 7761 US Hwy. 158, Seaboard, N.C. 27876, (252) 534-6631.