Valta M. Mayes

Eureka- Valta M. Mayes, 94, of Eureka, IL passed away at 9:20 am on Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka where she was a resident.

She was born on June 28, 1915 in Brushy Knob, MO a daughter of Cale Bales Brooks and Eula Price Gass. She married William Ersel Andrews and two children were born to that union. She then married Floyd Heard and later Thomas Mayes.

Survivors include one son, Francis "Gene" (Marilyn) Andrews of Deer Creek, IL; one daughter, Wilma (James) Coffman of Hume, MO; two nephews, William "Bill" Brooks of Roosevelt, WA and Jerald Brooks of Pueblo West, CO both whom she helped raise; six grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and eight great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all three husbands, one brother, one infant sister, one grandson, one great-grandson, and one great great-granddaughter.

Valta graduated in 1933 from Norwood High School in Wright County, MO. She owned and operated a dairy and beef farm in the Ozarks for 20 years. She was a member of the Brushy Knob Missionary Baptist Church while she lived in Missouri.
She loved to be outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Valta was also a great cook who was known for baking big angel food cakes.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 9, 2010 at Brushy Knob Cemetery in Ava, Missouri. Rev. Danny Douglass will officiate. Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eureka Apostolic Christian Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com