Lawrence, MS

James Parks Mayes, 88, of Lawrence, MS died Friday, May 5, 2017 at Rush Hospital in Meridian, MS. He was born Sunday, July 8, 1928 in Newton County, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 7, 2017 from 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM at Newton County Funeral Home - South. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 3:30 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Lawrence, MS. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Justin Chaney and Bro. Tommy Tanner will officiate. Newton County Funeral Home - South is in charge of arrangements. (601)635-3200

James was a lifelong member of Newton County. He was a faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Carpentry was his career and passion also he enjoyed gardening, fishing and farming. He was a loving husband, daddy and pawpaw to all his family. He will be truly missed by all that knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie O. Mayes and Bessie Powell Mayes; wife, Rena Bell Mayes and wife, Ruby Mayes; daughter, Arlene Davis; son, Rodney Mayes; three sisters and three brothers.

Survivors include his daughters, Sara Gentry (Jackie) ,Janie McMillan (Jimmy), Wanda Dial (Freddie); Son-in-law - Randy Davis; grand children Tim Gentry (Becca), Freddie Gentry (Amy), Susan Finnegan (Ronnie), Kasey Townsend (Larame), Ashley Castillo, Bryan Smiley, Tish Harden (Paul), Parker Dial, Krystal Strait (Ryan), Ben Davis; 19 great grandchildren; sisters, Gladys Sorey and Gena Uzzle; special friend, Macie Leitch and nephew, Wesley Mayes.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Smiley, Freddie Gentry, Ben Davis, Parker Dial, Zach Finnegan and Ethan Gentry.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com