Herbert Arthur "Herb" Mays, 86, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026. He was born on August 3, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Margaret Livermore Mays and Arthur Jewel Mays. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m. at Wilson and Knight Funeral Home with visitation from 12:00 p.m. until service time. Rev. Ben Butler will officiate the services.

Herb graduated from Central High School and served six years in the Air National Guard. He began his career with American Tobacco Company, later joining Carnrick Laboratories before spending 30 years with Ross Laboratories, where he advanced to district manager. He was known for his professionalism, leadership, and ability to connect with people.

A devoted Christian, Herb's faith guided his life and work. While he enjoyed a successful career in sales and marketing, his greatest passion was art. A gifted portrait artist, he devoted his retirement to painting, studying under nationally recognized artists and developing a style rooted in classical realism. He was a member of the Portrait Society of America, a charter member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta, and an instructor at the Covenant School for the Arts. His portraits earned regional recognition and remain treasured by the families whose lives he beautifully captured.

Herb will be remembered for his kindness, creativity, steadfast faith in Christ, and unwavering devotion to his family. He had a remarkable ability to talk with anyone, making people feel valued and welcome wherever he went. Through his work, his art, and his friendships, he left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Anne Mays; his daughter, Lisa Carraway (Jody); his grandchildren, Amanda Jarvis (Justin) and Bradley Thaggard (Rosy); his great-grandchildren, Jade and Jax; his brother, Kinnard Mays, and Kinnard's children: Christina Harkey, preceded in death by her husband, Joey, and her children, Corbin (mother of Maddox), Kaden, and Larkin; and Kenneth Mays (Anita), and their daughter, Kathryn; his brother-in-law, Dr. John Smith (Georgeanne); his niece, Georgia Hart Smit (Wynand); and his great-nephew, Christo.

He was preceded in death by his son, Scott Mays.

Before his passing, Herb took the time to write his own obituary. The following words were written by Herb himself and are shared exactly as he wished.

"To my precious wife Anne, my most loving Family, and my Dear Friends. My life's journey has been one filled with much Joy, Love, and Laughter, tempered, with enough measure of Hardship, Disappointment, Sadness, and Regret, so, that a Deep Appreciation for the Gift of my Life has been well realized, also I feel so blessed to have

lived in A Great Country which has allowed me the opportunity to express my abilities, and talents thru Dedicated Hard Work.

In closing this chapter, I humbly make one last request, "Beat not the Slow Drum of Lament" for me, instead "Rejoice with Thanksgiving." For you see, this day I have arrived at the Studio of the "One and Only, True Master Artist," and with me I bare the Portrait of my Life's work, which I will be presenting for Consideration. Upon receiving my Review, I look forward with anticipation to Greater Insights, with a deeper grasp of Enlightenment, resulting in an Enriched Understanding of the Process, and also, of course Most Certainly "My Critique".