James Weldon Mayes

A Celebration of Life for  Mr. James Weldon Mayes, 87 of Decatur, AL, will be noon Saturday at Pleasant Grove M.B. Church in Courtland with the Reverend Robert Pearl Officiating and inhumation in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.  The body will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral.  Public viewing will be Thursday from 2-6 and Friday from 10-7 at Reynolds Funeral Home.

James Weldon Mayes, Sr., “Buddy Jean”, was born on July 22, 1932 to the late Welter Mayes and Lula Watkins Mayes. He departed this life on September 17, 2019 at Huntsville Hospital.

Buddy Jean confessed his life to Christ at an early age and joined Pleasant Grove M.B. Church. Buddy Jean was a loving husband.  He was a stern man, yet he had a meek and humble soul.  Buddy Jean was an outstanding provider, and he worked from sunrise to sunset. He worked various construction jobs and as a line leader for General Motors in Athens, AL for 18 years, retiring in 1999. His hobbies were raising livestock and farming.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Virgella Jones Mayes; one daughter,  Elvester Mayes; two stepdaughters, Shirley McClendon and Celestine Crayton; two sons, Curtis Lee Mayes and Ricky Mayes; two stepsons, Johnny Cunningham and Collis Cunningham; one sister, Sarah Smith; and two brothers, Robert Mayes and Richard Mayes.

Buddy Jean leaves to cherish his memory: a loving and devoted wife, Dorothy Neville Mayes of Decatur, AL;  five daughters, Loretta (Frank) Eddie of Huntsville, AL, Renna Mayes of North Carolina, Glenda Owens of Hillsboro, AL, Vivian Baldwin of Madison, AL, and Terri (Sam) Myers of Hartselle, AL; three stepdaughters, Dorothy Ann Jones of Detroit, MI, LaSonja Carter of Decatur, AL, and Teresa Carter of Medford, OR; seven sons, Ronnie Mayes of Hillsboro, AL, James W. Mayes Jr. and Vickey Mayes, of Tampa, FL, Anthony (Katrice) Mayes of Trinity, AL, Lun (Chantina) Mayes of Nashville, TN, and Larry and Andre Barrett of Hillsboro, AL; two stepsons, Tom (Margie) Jones of Detroit, MI, and Lucius (Trinna) Carter of Hillsboro, AL; one brother, Charlie (Sallie) Mayes; six brothers-in-law, Levolia Smith, James Neville (Heather) of Alexandria, VA, Randolph Neville of Huntsville, AL, Elverse Neville of Decatur, AL, John (Leslie) Neville of Augusta, GA, and Rickey Neville (Cynthia) of Madison, AL; two sisters-in-law, Jane Flowers of Decatur, AL and Sadie Bentley of Decatur, AL;  27 grandchildren,  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives  and friends.

Pallbearers and Flower Bearers will be family and friends.

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