Mark Anthony Mays, 67, St. Joseph, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.

Mark was born on July 5, 1957, to Henrietta Hoard and preceded in death by his stepfather, Jerry Hoard. Mark graduated from Elwood High School. He was a Recreation Director for the Bartlett Center. He enjoyed working with children and they loved Mr. Mark. He was quite the sports enthusiast and loved playing games from basketball, baseball, and horseshoes to playing cornhole and tossing
washers. Mark not only coached kids' sports but provided support by attending their games. His grandchildren are active in sports and Papa Mark rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on.

Deserving its own paragraph is Mark's diehard allegiance to the Raiders – in and out of football
season! If it is baseball season, it must be the Oakland Athletics, basketball, the New York Knicks.

Mark belonged to First Baptist Church, Elwood, Kansas. He was a member of the Tes Trams Club.

Mark and Velda King were married on July 30, 2005. She survives at home. He is also survived by his
mother Henrietta Hoard (Vernon Bethea), siblings Lawrence Mays (Jo), Rodney Mays (Paula), Bryan
Robinson (Debria), Shawn Hoard, and Alicia Henderson.

Left to mourn are his children: Auntonio Jones (Jodie), Shawneekia Mays (Romey), Qunvel King, Sr. (Maria), Shawneece Mays, Shawn Maag (Maleigha); Joeritta Crowley, Vincent Crowley (Stephanie), and Philip King (Elizabeth); nieces and nephews: Matthew (Mandy), Justin, RJ, Jordyn, Akaijah, Akirah, A'Onika, A'Zeon, A'Zjhae', grandchildren: Auntonio, Jr., Dayshawn, Angelica, Trevongh, Liliana, Bailee, Brenden, Zay'Onna, Zy'Dronn, Ja'Naya, Ava Rose, Trey'Von, Loren, Sarah, Kylie, Fielding, Breanna, A'Vihana, Kamiah, Qunvel, Jr., Isaih, Kiana, Junior, Alondra, Josiah, Jeremiah, Isaias, Aniya, Kingsley, Khyiere, Na'eemah, Quinlan, Bellamy, and Lilyona; great niece and nephews: Abbie, Malachi and Nehemiah; great grandchild: Zyir; and godchild: Tyrell Page.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel with Rev. Vernon Winfrey officiating. Visitation will start one hour prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Kidney Foundation or American Heart Association.