Pastor- Elder Eugene Mays was born April 20, 1924 to the late Charity and Woodson Mays in Barbourville, Kentucky. He transitioned from his earthly life at the age of 90 at "Baptist Health Corbin" in Corbin, Kentucky.
Eugene attended Rosenwall School. There he participated in basketball, the sport he loved. After high school he married his lovely wife Geraldine of Barbourville, Kentucky. Shortly after, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corp. He earned the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged.
Eugene worked in the coal mines and also one of the railroad companys in Kentucky. He eventually moved north to Chicago, IL seeking better employment to support his family. He worked several jobs until he found employment with Illinois Bell Telephone Company, where he retired at the age of 57. Eugene was an assistant pastor of churches in Gary Indiana and Chicago, Illinois. After he retired in 1981 he moved back to his native town in Kentucky in 1984. There he founded "Free Mission Holiness Church" and served as Pastor until his demise.
He was a great sportsmen, the best "Angler" catching huge fish wherever he dropped his pole! He loved needling his sons and grandsons as he caught more and larger fish! He enjoyed hunting with friends and his sons for wild game. He was a big time UK FAN! (Get you crying towel Butch!)
Eugene dedicated his life to the Lord at an early age. He found his home of worship in "Triumph The Church And Kingdom Of God In Christ" in Barbourville, Kentucky; where he was baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Eugene will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 72 years, Geraldine Mays (Midge).. His sons and daughters... Elder Calvin Mays Sr (Nina) of Fresno, CA; Pastor Garland Mays Sr (Rita) of Matteson, IL; Stanley Mays Sr of Barbourville, KY;... Jacquelyn Mays Taylor(Jackie)of San Miguel, CA; Pharlis Mays (Butch) of Barbourville, KY; Janet Mays (Jan) of Barbourville, KY; grandchildren(16) great- grands(21) great-great grand(1)....Two sisters, Thelma Bledsoe and Jenette Croley of Barbourville, KY; One brother, Timothy Spencer (Tim) of Barbourville, KY; Joann Mays(sister-law) Haroldsburg, KY; Juanita Elllis(sister-in-law) Ontario, CA; A host of relatives and one "Special" friend, Mr. S. Berkley
Eugene was preceded in death by infant twins, a son; loving parents Woodson and Charity Mays; brothers, Bentley and Donald Mays; sisters, Mary Gilbert and Ruth Sledge(Bobbie)

Funeral Services for Pastor Elder Eugene Mays will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 28, 2015 in the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Rosenwald Cemetery.
Those serving as Pallbearers will be: Tony Bledsoe, Allen Bledsoe, Michael Johnson, Jamaal Taylor, Stevie Newell, and Berneil Parker.
Those serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be: S. Berkley, Cleadous Bledsoe, Cornelius Bledsoe, Steven Mays, Levard Parker, Calvin Mays, Stanley Mays, and Donald Mays.

The Mays family will receive friends from 12:00 noon Saturday at the Hopper Funeral Home, and until the funeral hour.

Hopper Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.