Obituary of Naomi Mays

On Sunday, September 14, 2014 our Heavenly Father dispatched his angel to St. Joseph's Hospital to escort His loving servant, Reverend Elder Naomi Mays home to rest. Elder Mays was born January 31st, 1938 to the late DeWitt and Beulah Thompson in El Dorado, Arkansas. At an early age she united with the Morning Star Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas, then journeyed to Brooklyn, New York where she met and married Mr. Willie Early. From that union, two children were born, Antoinette and Kevin Maurice Early. She later remarried Mr. Warren Mays, who served as a loving partner to her in marriage and also in their love for serving the Lord at Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral. Throughout her adult life, Elder Mays dedicated her time to raising her family, devoting her working life to managing for Chase Manhattan Bank and ultimately completing her Bachelor of Science Degree from Adelphi University and receiving her Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary, which was her most beloved professional accomplishment. Her dedication and service to the Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral over these many years, and her impact on the church community has been profound. Her love of the Lord led her to preach the Word at home and as a member of the American Baptist Association, which dispatched her regularly as Interim Pastor for numerous churches on Long Island and throughout the five boroughs. She was affectionately known by her daughter as 'The Traveling Preacher." She was an inspiration to the Ministerial staff, congregation, and was a shining example of devotion to the Lord. Her giving and loving nature to family and friends will be missed, as well as her knowledge of the Word of God. On this most auspicious day, it can be said without hesitation that she has served well. Elder Naomi Mays was preceded in death by her loving husband Warren Mays, and leaves behind to cherish her memory: Her beloved daughter Ann and her two grandchildren, William Christopher and Jasmine Arielle Clyde, who were the loves of her life, her forever son-in-law William Clyde, Jr., her beloved son and his wife, Kevin and Phyllis Early, her beloved brother Maeso Thompson and her niece and nephew Thais and Perry Thompson, her late brother DeJoe's daughters Deanna and Dana Thompson, and a host of other nieces, nephews, family and friends.