Rachel Southard Mayes

Mrs. Rachel Southard Mayes, age 90, of Elkin, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at her residence.

Rachel was born October 11, 1933, to Sye Monsie and Betty Key Southard.

Rachel was a member of Thanks To Calvary Baptist Church. In her younger years, she played basketball, she enjoyed going to Surry Central basketball games when her health permitted, and she never missed an Atlanta Braves game on television. She baked the best cakes in Surry County. She would sell cakes on Saturday and Avon during the week and worked a full-time job at Quality Mills to make ends meet.

In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Mayes; brothers S.M. Southard, Wilber Southard, and Clarence Southard; and sisters Ruth Gentry, Mary Osborne, Madge Wood, and Bertie Blevins.

Survivors include: sons, Gary White and wife Adale of Elkin, Terry White and wife Susan of State Road; Jeffery White and wife Krista of Elkin; step-daughter Norma Whitaker and J.E. of Elkin; step-son Rev James Mayes and wife Sharon of Danville, VA; grandchildren, David White and wife Michelle, Josh White and wife Shannon, Jason White and wife Nicole, Elizabeth White Duggins, and husband Scott; great-grandchildren, Videl White, Gohan White, Willow White, Ashlyn White, Owen White, Caleb White, Carson White, Adalyn White, Silas Duggins, Connor Duggins, and several loving nieces and nephews. Rachel was deeply loved and respected by her family, and her memory will forever be cherished in their hearts.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Thanks to Calvary Baptist Church, with Dr. Jeremy Simpson and Rev. Joe Lambert officiating. Interment will follow in Mulberry Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thanks to Calvary Baptist Church, 1522 Austin Traphill Road, Elkin, NC 28621.