Bessie Lucille Allen Mayes, 94, of Cleveland, TN, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014.
She was the daughter of the late James Leroy Allen and Bessie Kirksey Allen; and was also preceded in death by her husband, John Wallace Mayes; and son, James Lamont Mayes.
She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis. "Mama Cille" retired from Cannon Mills in1986 and moved to Cleveland, TN to reside with her daughter and her family in 1991. In 1992, she started working as a hostess at Hardees and retired from that position in 2002. In 2003, She volunteered for 3 years at Valley View Elementary assisting with grades K-5 in the cafeteria where she exemplified the positive traits the school valued. The Mayors of Bradley County and Cleveland proclaimed March 18, 2005 as "Lucille Mayes Day". She was honored as "Queen for the Day" at a reception held at the school with hugs, cards, and pictures from the students and teachers. The children affectionately called her "Grandmaw".
Survivors include her daughter, Toni Swink and her husband, Kenneth, of Cleveland, TN; seven grandchildren, Tricia Albritton and husband Christopher, Kenneth Swink, II, of Cleveland, TN, Daniel Swink and wife, Candace, of Tunnel Hill, Tracie Stewart and husband, Brian of Greenville, SC, Joci Griffith and husband, Mark of Marietta, GA, James Lamont Mayes, III and wife, Valynda, of Alexandria, VA; and Elizabeth Ellen Mayes of Rock Hill, SC; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday August 23, at 1 p.m. at the chapel of Lady's Funeral Home, Kannapolis, NC, with the Reverend Brian Stewart officiating. The family will receive friends from 12-1 p.m. Interment will follow in Carolina Memorial Park.
Arrangements are by Companion Funeral Home, Cleveland, TN and Lady's funeral Home, 268 N. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083.