My father, Wayman Allen Mays, was born February 28, 1951 to Booker and Gladys Denson Mays. He was the youngest of their three children. He graduated from W. F. Branch High school in 1969 and Philander Smith College in 1973. After graduating with a bachelors in education, he worked in Little Rock for the Boys and Girls Club. After marrying his wife, Patricia Hatchett, he moved his growing family back to his hometown. Back in Newport, he started working for Arkansas Steel Associates and continued to work there for over 25 years.

My Dad had a quiet confidence about him. He would be the person in the room observing others instead of quick to talk. His sense of humor was unmatched. He took his role as family protector very seriously. Everyone that knew him knew not to mess with him or his family because my Dad didn’t play about his family. My Dad loved to go fishing, and he was the original pit master always behind the grill any time of the year. My Dad passed away November 13, 2020 after a hard fought 12 year battle with colon cancer. Although he is no longer with me physically, he will always be in my heart and holds a special place in my genealogy journey.