FAMILY

All About

Elva Mays loved her family.

Elva had a friendly demeanor no matter where you first met her. She was comfortable in many situations and was the poster child for "Never Knew A Stranger". She was always there to support you, and once you got to know her - She was your friend forever. She would talk to anyone she came across and if you got her laughing - you may never get her to stop.

Elva grew up a preachers kid and learned how to be present, but out of the way. She would help with home and church activities and would quietly go through her duties whether it was helping for church choir rehersals, or setting up for get togethers, she was alway in the background - ready and willing to help.

That spirit of service continued into her adult years. She was very active in multiple school and church activities and worked just as hard in the background or on the stage. She was the go to when getting things done and that was one of the reasons John was attracted to her.

YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE

Elva's marrage to John required many sacrifices and much service. She was married to a young professor. So there were MANY late nights that she "kept the home fires burning" while John was finding his way in the professional world.

This continues when they adopted 2 children to raise and John became president of the State Camp of Gideons International. This require weekends out of the house and driving hours upon hours with 2 young children and still making sure everyone was ready for the next speaking engagement or church service.

Mays-Haddix Family

GROWING UP TOGETHER

John teaching and Elva raising two children meant a lot of long nights and busy days. Elva loved living in the mountains of Colorado and would take the kids skiing and hiking when possible. She loved spending time with the kids and had a good time with the neighbors and parents.

When the family moved closer to John's work - Elva thrived. She became increasingly active in her church and with all the activities that went on and was able to support both kids growing up and going through the crazy years of pre-teen and teenage years. As the kids grew older, Elva and John had a desire to support more families and became foster parents to a young girl and her daughter. This gave Elva a whole new family to help support and grow and she love it.

GIDEONS AND BEYOND

Elva became a supporting pillar as John moved up the ranks of the Colorado Gideons, as he ultimately became the president of the State. The Gideons are self supported and raise money to put bibles into motels/hotels and pretty much anyone with a hand. So John not only took care of the State, but became a speaker to churches and organizations who wanted to learn more about this wonderful organization. Elva was always by his side, making sure he was able to make his meeting while still taking care of family obligations.

They ultimately moved to High Point, North Carolina and continued active with Gideons, Church and Water Aerobics. The activities help support them and gave them a passion to travel the world and see God's creation. As the years continued, Elva begain having issues with memory and recall. John was able to take care of her until he passed in 2021. Elva lived on her own for the first time in her life and that transition was difficult. She missed the commeraderie of John and she couldn't take care of all the things she needed for daily living. In 2023 she moved to Memory Care and met a whole new group of friends. She was frustrated at times, since her friends couldn't always remember who she was, but as her memory declined - everyone was a new friend and that worked well until her passing. She stated how she missed John and was ready whenever God wanted to call her home. So although it is a sad time for family - it's a joyous reunion for Elva to be with her heavenly father, her parents and John.