Mrs. Virginia Mary Mayes

Virginia Mary Mayes passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the age of 101. “Mutha”, as she was affectionately called by her family and loved ones, lived a long and beautiful life. She was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on May 8, 1910 to Fred and Bessie Sims. Virginia was the only daughter of three siblings. She had two brothers, Charles and Oliver Sims. Virginia was actually named Virgin Mary Sims. However, her named was later changed to “Virginia Mary”, after a one of her teachers remarked that her name was inappropriate. She married John Mayes in 1924 and two daughters were born to this union: Dorothy and Lorraine. They later moved to Chicago, Illinois where they raised their family and started several businesses. Virginia was quite the entrepreneur. In 1939, she opened an ice cream parlor named “Old Boy Ice Cream Parlor”. In the 1950’s and 60’s, she was a wigmaker and owned her own wig store called “Mayes Hair Box”. The wig store was connected to local grocery store, which was also owned and operated by Virginia. She was always one to give back to the community. Every Saturday she would take the neighborhood kids to the local movie theatre. One of Virginia’s great passions in life was traveling. She was a member of the Windy City Travel Tour Club where she loved to socialize and travel with her friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and father and two brothers, Charles and Oliver Sims. Virginia (“Mutha”) was an innovator before her time and the legacy she leaves to her family is immeasurable. She is survived by: two daughters, Dorothy Walker (Chicago, Illinois); Lorraine Willis (Covert, Michigan); five grand-daughters, Darlene Cox (Orlando, Florida); Marlene Whitehead (Kalamazoo, Michigan); Contrina Thomas (Kalamazoo, Michigan); Renee Walker (Pasadena, California) and Sandra Walker (Chicago, Illinois); four grandsons, Ronnie "Barack" Walker (Covina, California); Michael Walker (San Antonio, Texas); Jason Walker (San Antonio, Texas); Larry Walker (Philippines); a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; three great-great-great grandchildren, friends and her beloved great grandson, Pierre A. Willis (Houston, Texas).

Mrs. Virginia Mary Mayes

May 8, 1910 - March 8, 2012