Reverend Ralph William Mayes

Reverend Ralph William Mayes,88, of Poplar Bluff passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2020.  

Rev. Mayes was born Sept. 24, 1931, the oldest of six children to John H. and Edna (Wright) Mayes.  Prior to his passing, Rev. Mayes pastored churches in Elgin, Harvard, and Granite City, Illinois, before moving back to Poplar Bluff in 1975.  Rev. Mayes pastored the Third Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff for 22 years.  More recently, he was pastor of Fairview Baptist Church until his health forced him to retire in 2018.  

On March 11, 1949, Rev. Mayes married his wife Dorothy (Hillis) Mayes.  Their marriage continued for 55 years until her death Dec. 20, 2004.  Also preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Virgil, Clyde Edward, Howard, and Jessie Mayes; granddaughters,  Malissa (Mayes) Ballard, Stephanie Mayes; and daughter-in-law, Diane Mayes.

Rev. Mayes is survived by his sister, Lorene Withrow and sons, Steven (MyLene) Mayes is South Elgin, IL, David Mayes of Richland, MI, and Michael (Cassandra) Mayes of Poplar Bluff; his grandchildren, Jeremy (Andrea) Mayes of North Carolina, Justin (Kristin) Mayes of IL, Travis (Wendee) Mayes of MI, Kimberly (Luke) Barrett of MI and 10 great- grandchildren.  

Please join the family in celebrating his life with visitation beginning at 11 am to 12 pm Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at Fowler -Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff.  The funeral service will begin at noon in the funeral home chapel with Rev. James Capps officiating.  Burial will follow in Hamtown Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers the family asks you send memorials to Fairview Baptist Church 1102International St. Poplar Bluff, Mo 63901.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reverend Ralph William Mayes, please visit our floral store.