Sherman Lee Mays

Sherman Lee Mays, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, died suddenly Tuesday, Nov.12, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. 

He was born on Nov. 15, 1938, in Anna, the son of Grover Marcellis and Ada Kathryn Farris Mays.

Mr. Mays is is survived by his two daughters, Sandra Kay Pickel (Terry Lessen) of Dongola and Deborah Lee (Rusty) Cunningham of Evansville, Ind.; a son, Ronald Wayne Mays of Mt. Pleasant; six grandchildren, Dan Osman, Sarah (Sam) Wellmeier, Jason (Jessica) Pickel, Justin Lee (Jamie) Pickel, Andrea Walker and Ryan (Tara) Mays; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Grover Sr. (Vicki) Mays of Dongola and Ronnie (Debbie) Mays of Anna; a sister-in-law, Sandra Mays of Jacksonville; many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son Sherman Lee Mays Jr.; and siblings Beverly Mays, Ginger Newman and Allen Mays.

He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a 50-year member of the Anna Masonic Lodge and a member of Anna-Jonesboro Elks Lodge No. 1641. 

He enjoyed watching NASCAR and spending time with his grandchildren. He worked early on as an Ironworker and later retired from Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna as an engineer at the power plant.

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Randy Wright officiating. 

Interment was in McGinnis Cemetery. Graveside military rites were  conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard funeral honor team of Marion. 

Masonic rites were conducted at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.