(Nada) Fayrene Mayes, 95, of Sedalia, MO, passed away Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center.
She was born October 30, 1925, in Beaver County, OK, the oldest of five children born to the late Orel Ellen (Hudson) and Milford Jay Bennett.
In 1949, in King Fisher, OK, she married Ralph Waldon Mayes, Jr. who preceded her in death in 1986. They settled in California where she was a 4-H leader and school teacher for many years. She and Ralph were an industrious couple and found ways to turn their hobbies into businesses while both holding full time careers and raising six children.
Fayrene attended nursing training in Enid, OK during World War II, eventually receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education. She worked as a registered nurse and teacher until retirement at the young age of 82.
She moved to Sedalia, MO, from Port Aransas, TX 28 years ago. She lead the Writer’s Group at the Sedalia Senior Center for several years.
Survivors include six children, Cheryl Ann Reed, Mary Margaret Mayes (Glenda), Ralph Waldon Mayes, III (Janet), Thomas Jay Mayes (Felena), William Daniel Mayes and Sally Sue Blankenship (Mike); 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; a sister, Judy L. Woodard, of San Angelo, TX; and a brother Ronald Jay Bennett (Jimmie), of Turpin, OK.
Fayrene requested no services be held. To honor her life, a memorial contribution may be given to a charity of your choice in care of Heckart Funeral Home, 903 S Ohio Ave, Sedalia, MO 65301.