Mr. Alan Tillman Mays

Mr. Alan Tillman Mays was born in Jackson, TN on May 25, 1934 to the late Tillman and Mary Mays.

A graduate of Jackson High School, he attended Lambuth University where he was on the school newspaper staff and a member of Theta Psi Fraternity. He graduated from Union University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later graduated from the University of Memphis with a Master’s Degree of Education in Administration and Supervision. He was also a member of the Civitan Club of Jackson. Mr. Mays served two years in the U.S. Army at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, leaving as a Sergeant First Class, and then served nine years with the National Guard as a Sergeant. He was a retired educator for the Jackson-Madison County Schools, teaching American History at Jackson Junior High School. He also pastored several churches in West Tennessee, being licensed for The Gospel Ministry by North Jackson Baptist Church and ordained upon the recommendation of Durhamville Baptist Church in Ripley, TN. He went on to serve as pastor of Ward’s Grove Baptist Church in Jackson, Preston Street Baptist Church in Jackson, Oaklawn Baptist Church in Jackson, and Pleasant Plains Baptist Church in Jackson. He retired after serving at Deanburg Baptist Church in Deanburg, TN for 25 years. He was honored as Pastor Emeritus of Deanburg Baptist Church.

Mr. Mays was preceded in death by his parents Archie Tillman Mays and Mary Naylor Mays; his two brothers, Gerald K. Mays and James Mays (Kay Mays); his three sisters, Edwina Mays Robley (Neely Robley), Carolyn Mays Mewborn (Ronnie Mewborn), and Sandra Mays Godson; his grandson Jaxon Mays; and his late wife Linda Jernigan Mays.

Mr. Mays is survived by his wife Belinda McEwen Mays of Jackson, TN, married in 2001; his daughter Lori Mays King (Tim King) of Troy, TN; his son Ryan Mays (Danielle Mays) of Medina, TN; his four grandchildren Mikaela King and Rowan King of Troy, TN; Maleigha Hamilton and Rylee Mays of Medina, TN; his brother William Mays (Margie Mays) of Jackson, TN; his brother-in-law Greg Godson of Jackson, TN and his sister-in-law Mary Louise Mays of Jackson, TN.

Mr. Mays exuded kindness to all those he knew and loved his family dearly. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and could brighten anyone’s day with kind words of guidance and encouragement. He loved astronomy, reading, TV westerns, music, singing and was a beautiful whistler. He is now rejoicing in Heaven with his Lord and Savior, whom he faithfully served. He will be deeply missed.

Funeral services for Bro. Tillman will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 2:00 at Browns Church, 181 McLeary Rd., Jackson. BUrial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will begin receiving friends at 12 Noon, two hours prior to the service.