Celebrating the life of
Richard W. Mays
July 08, 1951 - August 29, 2014
Savannah, GA - Richard Warren Mays, 63, passed away on Friday, August 29th, at Memorial University Medical Center. He was born in Seneca, SC, son of Kennyth Warren Mays and Ann Hubbard Mays. While attending church with his parents in Columbia, SC, he developed an interest in the organ and a love for music. After graduating from Charleston’s St. Andrews High School where he played sousaphone in the marching band he attended Furman University he continued to study organ and took up bass trombone as well. After college he began a career in bass trombone playing in the Charlotte and Nashville Symphony Orchestras. He also spent time in the Chicago area studying with Frank Crisafulli and Edward Kleinhammer both members of the Chicago Symphony. He has also played commercially with Paul Anka, the Tommy Dorsey Band, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
In 1997 God called Rich to Savannah to be Organist/Choir Master at Independent Presbyterian Church. He went on to serve as interim organist at All Saints Episcopal on Hilton Head Island, Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, and most recently at St. John’s Church in Savannah. In these positions he sought to glorify God through his musical offerings.
In 2002 Rich began Sonare Recordings, and aided sacred, secular, and collegiate choirs, music ensembles, and soloists to produce CDs with the highest quality sound. He engineered over 50 cd projects, as well as recordings for the Savannah Music Festival, Beaches Fine Arts Series (Jacksonville Beach), and Savannah Voice Festival. In addition, his Sonare Publications published and sold over 50 of Rich's original arrangements for brass and/or organ which have been played in church services and concerts all over the country.
Rich was a child of God who sought the Lord's will above his own. Though equipped with a quick humor and sarcastic tongue, he was a man whose love for the Lord shone through his music. Rich adored his daughters and considered himself blessed by watching them grow into godly young women.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Elizabeth Blake Mays of Savannah, GA; their two daughters, Sharon Grace Mays and Kathryn Ann Mays both of Savannah, GA; his mother, Ann Hubbard Mays of Charleston, SC; and his brother, Steven R. Mays (Susan) of Acworth, GA.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 1st, 2:00 p.m. at Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull St., Savannah, GA.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ Church Anglican, P.O. Box 14039, Savannah, GA 31416.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel, Savannah, GA
We were so incredibly fortunate to have Rich record our 2014 Festival this past August and are so saddened this sudden loss. He really understood how to record the human voice and his talents will be sorely missed in the musical world. We at the VOICE Programs send our sincerest sympathies to his family and friends.
- Savannah VOICE Festival, Savannah, GA
To the Mays family, I am sadden to hear of the loss of your loved one. I know that Jehovah the God of all comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3 Will give you all the comfort needed at this difficult time in your lives.
- M. Amos, Port Wentworth, GA
Liz, please accept my deepest condolences. The thoughts and prayers of a vast number of us in the professional audio community are with you and the girls. I’ve not met a kinder, funnier, helpful and more thoughtful man in my life. I believe the angels now sing more sweetly, simply because Rich can hear them – and he can read the charts.
- John Whitmer, Birmingham, AL
Dear Liz We want to extend our sincere sympathy to you and your daughters.We have fond memories of all of you and Rich as a fine Christian man who used his talents to glorify our God. Sincerely Marie and George Vander Woude
- Marie and George Vander Woude, Brentwood, Tn
Please accept our sympathy for your loss of Rich. May God give strength, grace and peace . Don and Patty Peter
- Don and Patty Peter, Savannah, GA
Rich was a valued member of the Savannah and Charleston church music communities. He will be sorely missed.
- Olivia Margaret Ontko, Charleston, SC
I have been working with Rich for about 10 years, serving as a CD label home for the recordings he made for his artists. In every way and at all times he was a skilled professional, a respectful colleague, and, above all, a wonderful person. If he wasn't at work on a project, he was tending to (and talking about!) his family. I will miss Rich, all that was here in this life, but now is, in Heaven. God Bless.
- Robert LaPorta / MSR Classics, Newtown, CT
My condolences to the Mays family. I knew Rich from when he was interm organist at Holy Comforter Lutheran in Charleston and when he and his family came back for visits with his parents. He was a gifted organist and a nice person. May he rest in peace. Ann and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Sylvia Hendrix, Charleston, sc
Rich was a valued colleague and will be missed.
- James Richardson, Savannah, GA
Liz, We are so sorry to learn of Rich's passing. It has been such a very long time since we were a part of the same church, but we always thought very highly of Rich and you. We are saddened for your girls, too. Praying for all of you as you mourn the loss of your husband and father. Looking forward to the resurrection in glory with you.
- Mark & Jennifer Horne, St. Louis, MO
Glen and I are so terribly sorry for your loss, Liz, Sharon, and Kathryn. Knowing you all for the last 9 years has been a wonderful thing even if in the last couple of years we weren't as close. Rich was a good husband and father and it is heartbreaking to hear of this news. Our thoughts are with you and if you need anything, you know where to find us :) Elizabeth and Glen
- Elizabeth and Glen Osterberger, Savannah, GA
Rest Eternal, grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
- David & Debbie Carson, Savannah, Georgia
Dear Liz, Sharon, and Kathryn, Our hearts are breaking for you in your time of loss. We are praying that the Lord Jesus' presence will be very near to you in the coming days. We wish we were able to come to the memorial service, but will be there in our prayers. Love, Mark and Fran
- Mark and Fran Nabholz, Augusta, GA
My condolences to the Mays Family I am so sorry for you loss. May Jehovah be with your family in your time of greif we all know how you feel because we all have loss someone we love. But you can have hope because God has said there is going to be a resurrection for all mankind . At John 5:28,29 it talkes about a resurrection hope . Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
We were so incredibly fortunate to have Rich record our 2014 Festival this past August and are so saddened this sudden loss. He really understood how to record the human voice and his talents will be sorely missed in the musical world. We at the VOICE Programs send our sincerest sympathies to his family and friends.
- Savannah VOICE Festival, Savannah, GA
To the Mays family, I am sadden to hear of the loss of your loved one. I know that Jehovah the God of all comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3 Will give you all the comfort needed at this difficult time in your lives.
- M. Amos, Port Wentworth, GA
Liz, please accept my deepest condolences. The thoughts and prayers of a vast number of us in the professional audio community are with you and the girls. I’ve not met a kinder, funnier, helpful and more thoughtful man in my life. I believe the angels now sing more sweetly, simply because Rich can hear them – and he can read the charts.
- John Whitmer, Birmingham, AL
Dear Liz We want to extend our sincere sympathy to you and your daughters.We have fond memories of all of you and Rich as a fine Christian man who used his talents to glorify our God. Sincerely Marie and George Vander Woude
- Marie and George Vander Woude, Brentwood, Tn
Please accept our sympathy for your loss of Rich. May God give strength, grace and peace . Don and Patty Peter
- Don and Patty Peter, Savannah, GA
Rich was a valued member of the Savannah and Charleston church music communities. He will be sorely missed.
- Olivia Margaret Ontko, Charleston, SC
I have been working with Rich for about 10 years, serving as a CD label home for the recordings he made for his artists. In every way and at all times he was a skilled professional, a respectful colleague, and, above all, a wonderful person. If he wasn't at work on a project, he was tending to (and talking about!) his family. I will miss Rich, all that was here in this life, but now is, in Heaven. God Bless.
- Robert LaPorta / MSR Classics, Newtown, CT
My condolences to the Mays family. I knew Rich from when he was interm organist at Holy Comforter Lutheran in Charleston and when he and his family came back for visits with his parents. He was a gifted organist and a nice person. May he rest in peace. Ann and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Sylvia Hendrix, Charleston, sc
Rich was a valued colleague and will be missed.
- James Richardson, Savannah, GA
Liz, We are so sorry to learn of Rich's passing. It has been such a very long time since we were a part of the same church, but we always thought very highly of Rich and you. We are saddened for your girls, too. Praying for all of you as you mourn the loss of your husband and father. Looking forward to the resurrection in glory with you.
- Mark & Jennifer Horne, St. Louis, MO
Glen and I are so terribly sorry for your loss, Liz, Sharon, and Kathryn. Knowing you all for the last 9 years has been a wonderful thing even if in the last couple of years we weren't as close. Rich was a good husband and father and it is heartbreaking to hear of this news. Our thoughts are with you and if you need anything, you know where to find us :) Elizabeth and Glen
- Elizabeth and Glen Osterberger, Savannah, GA
Rest Eternal, grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
- David & Debbie Carson, Savannah, Georgia
Dear Liz, Sharon, and Kathryn, Our hearts are breaking for you in your time of loss. We are praying that the Lord Jesus' presence will be very near to you in the coming days. We wish we were able to come to the memorial service, but will be there in our prayers. Love, Mark and Fran
- Mark and Fran Nabholz, Augusta, GA
My condolences to the Mays Family I am so sorry for you loss. May Jehovah be with your family in your time of greif we all know how you feel because we all have loss someone we love. But you can have hope because God has said there is going to be a resurrection for all mankind . At John 5:28,29 it talkes about a resurrection hope . Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
