Mary Edna Mayes went home to be with the Lord on May 20, 2024 from an extended illness. She was born January 18, 1931 in Prince- ton, Illinois to the late Benjamin J. Riley and Mother Estella J. Riley. She grew up in Pomeroy Ohio, down on the Ohio River, where she was also baptized. She started playing piano around the age of 7 or 8. She continued and played on the radio through her teenage years. After graduation, she moved to West Virginia and worked as a nurs- es aid at the West Virginia University hospital. She moved to Can- ton several years later and worked as a security guard with National Security of Akron, Ohio, at J.C. Penney, Clarkins and Value City Department Store (where she retired). Mom was a member of one of the first Black women's social clubs in Canton, Ohio, called: The New Look Social Club. She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Estella Riley; her husband, Lindsey U. Mayes; her brother, Joseph Murphy; her sister, Elsie Louise Jackson; granddaughter, Shalonda Latrice Mayes -Henderson; and nephew, Darryl Ross She leaves to honor her memory, daughter, Theresa N. Mayes; her grandson, Branden A. Mayes; special friend (like a son), Cory Adams; nephew, Dwayne Ross; nieces, Ida Ross Freeman, Delivia McDonald and Veronica Earley; many great nieces and nephews; lots of family and lots of friends. She was very, very well loved!

LIFE Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. John 11:25-26