Obituary of Mary Bays

Mary Virginia Martin Bays, 83, of Huddleston passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2012. She was born May 8, 1929 in Bedford County to the late Roscoe Ray and Elsie Payne Martin. She was recently preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Leonard Junior Bays, as well as her brother, Orie Martin. She was blessed with seven children: Dennis and Carolyn Bays of Bedford; Danny Bays of Rural Hall, NC; Donnie "Butch" and Cathey Bays of Huddleston; David and Janet Bays of Forest; Basil and Joy Bays of Bedford; Sid and Kathy Bays Weeks of Altavista; and Clyde and Julie Bays of Huddleston. She also has sixteen grandchildren: Debbie Bays Leech, Michael Bays, Darren Bays, Dana Bays Bryson, Perry Bays, Nolan Bays, Brian Bays, Amanda Bays Payne, Ashley Bays, Bradley Bays, Brittany Bays Madson, Taylor Weeks, Sydney Weeks, Landon Bays, Brennon Bays, and Karenna Bays. She also has fourteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lucille Creasey, her sister-in-law, Laura Bays Watson and her husband, Anderson, and her faithful friend, Ida Mae Garrett. Mary was blessed to be a homemaker and helped keep the family businesses, LJ Bays, Inc. and Bays Trash Removal, going. She took pride in tending to her home and was devoted to caring for her family. She enjoyed her vegetable and rose gardens and the camping club, the Cardinal Virginians. Palestine Baptist Church was her church home and her favorite days were holidays when all of her family came home for dinner. Memorial contributions may be made to Huddleston Fire Department 5377 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, VA 24104, Huddleston Life Saving Crew, P. O. Box 77, Huddleston, VA 24104 or Palestine Baptist Church, 9244 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, VA 24104. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 11 AM at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with Rev. Jackie Carver officiating. Interment will follow in the Palestine Church Cemetery The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4 until 7 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford and other times at the family home.