John Donald Mays Jr.

John Donald Mays Jr., 57, of Bluewell, suddenly departed the Earth on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at his home. He was the eldest son of the late John “Dee” Mays, Sr. and Claudia June Blevins May. John was a longtime Montcalm/Bluewell resident, but was a McDowell County native, growing up in Premier, WV. He was a Bluefield High School graduate and went on to enlist in the United States Army shortly after. John enjoyed fishing and watching sports, mostly, football, basketball, boxing, and NASCAR. Most of all, he loved watching old cartoons and eating junk food with his grandkids. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Robert Kelly. To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Robin Mays of the home; daughters, Ashley (Keith) Meadows and Olivia (Ben Hall) Mays both of Bluewell, WV; grandchildren, Gavin, KayleighAunah, Dawson, Laylani, Abigail, and Xavier Meadows all of Bluewell, WV; Lorelai Hall of Bluewell, WV; brothers, Brian “Bolt” (Jessica) Whittaker of Bluewell, WV, John “Robbie” Mays of Athens, WV, and David Mays of Wilmington, NC; mother-in-law Betsy Kelly of Montcalm, WV; sister-in-law Angel (Dave) Carver of Montcalm, WV; special friend Morgan Hall of Nemours, WV; and a host of nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Funeral services will be held, Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Sluss officiating. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at the family cemetery in Crystal, WV, where the West Virginia Army National Guard will perform full military graveside rites. Keith Meadows, Ben Hall, Brian Whittaker, Jason Woolridge, Robbie Mays, Morgan Hall, Wilson Broomfield, and Noah Carver will serve as pallbearers. A visitation will be held, Friday, September 22, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving Mays family.