Thelma Mae Heifner was the daughter of John William Heifner and Mary Susan Frazier. She married Allard Randall Mayes, son of Robert Kenerday Mayes and Sarah Margaret Weakley, on November 30, 1927 in Macon, Macon County, Missouri and they had six children.
Obituary:
MAYES, THELMA M. April 30, 1909 to July 4, 2007
Thelma Mae (Heifner) Mayes was born in Huntsville, MO to John William and Mary Susan (Frazier) Heifner, she was a "doer." She was raised on a farm, lived 30 years in the small town of Moberly, MO, and 50 years in the city of San Diego. After losing her mother at 5 years of age, she was raised by her father. She grew up on the farm in the Darksville and Huntville area of Missouri, attending grade school by pony. She graduated from Moberly High in 1927. Her earliest goals were to be a mother, a wife, and a "down to earth" Christian.
Thelma married Allard Randall Mayes on November 30, 1927 in Moberly, MO. They had six children: Mary Louise, Juanita Marilyn, Dorothy Elaine, Audrey Helen, Robert Kanerday and William Davis. Thelma worked as a "Ma Bell" switchboard operator, and a seamstress, fitting the "hard to fit" and creating dresses for special events. Later, she started a wallpaper hanging business. It flourished until her move in 1957.
Settling in North Park, she worked at the downtown Woolworth's, managing candies, decorating store windows and arranging flowers. She created unusual bows and ribbons as customers watched and was well known as "the ribbon lady." Her last job was at Multi-craft Display in North Park. Thelma was involved actively in the community. In Moberly she held several PTA positions and was one of the first "Block Captains" of the new Neighborhood Watch program in San Diego.
In 1966, a group of ladies put together a "kitchen band", calling themselves The Galley Slaves. They soon went pro. Thelma created the flamboyant hats and costuming for skits, dressing herself as a man, complete with bowler hat, tap dancing to the music of "Side By Side." The Galley Slaves went on for 32 years, winning state competitions many times, playing the Santa Catalina Ballroom, performing from a flatbed truck for the Antique Automobile Club's annual parade from downtown San Diego to Ramona and many times at the Del Mar Fair.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Moberly), the East San Diego Christian Church, the Tierrasanta Christian Church, and the Vista La Mesa Christian Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in choirs and served as a board member. During her final years she took much pleasure with a group of friends having Bible Study at their homes.
Thelma's husband died in 1975. Her ability to adapt kept her going. She got her first drivers license at 68 and made several trips alone to the midwest for visits. She gave up driving as macular deterioration set in at 86. She loved to plant vegetables, cook and write heartfelt poems. She had the discipline to give up one chore at a time as needed and staying in her home provided familiarity for near blindness. She succumbed to chronic illnesses she lived with for years on July 4th.
Preceding her in death were a baby sister Estelle Elizabeth Heifner who died at birth; a stepmother Dora Mae (Towles) Heifner; two half-sisters Dollie Belle (Heifner) Alexander and Betty Lou (Heifner) Guffey and a halfbrother stillborn. Also preceding her in death were her daughter Marilyn (Mayes) Osborne and her husband Hershel Osborne; son Bob Mayes; granddaughter Jennifer (Mayes) Williams; and daughter Mary Louise (Mayes) Nolke.
Those surviving are son-in-law Vernon Nolke of Columbia, MO; Dorothy and her husband George Maupin of Princeton, IL, Audrey and her husband Ray Williams of Poway, CA; daughter-in-law Kathleen Mayes of El Cajon, CA; and Bill Mayes and his wife Lynn of San Diego, CA. She also is survived by 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave., Wednesday, July 11th, 4 to 8 p.m. Services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 12th, at Vista La Mesa Christian Church, 4210 Massachusetts Ave., La Mesa.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on July 11, 2007. Written by her son William Davis "Bill" Mayes (1948-2020) who was her caretaker in the final years of her life.
Obituary:
MAYES, THELMA M. April 30, 1909 to July 4, 2007
Thelma Mae (Heifner) Mayes was born in Huntsville, MO to John William and Mary Susan (Frazier) Heifner, she was a "doer." She was raised on a farm, lived 30 years in the small town of Moberly, MO, and 50 years in the city of San Diego. After losing her mother at 5 years of age, she was raised by her father. She grew up on the farm in the Darksville and Huntville area of Missouri, attending grade school by pony. She graduated from Moberly High in 1927. Her earliest goals were to be a mother, a wife, and a "down to earth" Christian.
Thelma married Allard Randall Mayes on November 30, 1927 in Moberly, MO. They had six children: Mary Louise, Juanita Marilyn, Dorothy Elaine, Audrey Helen, Robert Kanerday and William Davis. Thelma worked as a "Ma Bell" switchboard operator, and a seamstress, fitting the "hard to fit" and creating dresses for special events. Later, she started a wallpaper hanging business. It flourished until her move in 1957.
Settling in North Park, she worked at the downtown Woolworth's, managing candies, decorating store windows and arranging flowers. She created unusual bows and ribbons as customers watched and was well known as "the ribbon lady." Her last job was at Multi-craft Display in North Park. Thelma was involved actively in the community. In Moberly she held several PTA positions and was one of the first "Block Captains" of the new Neighborhood Watch program in San Diego.
In 1966, a group of ladies put together a "kitchen band", calling themselves The Galley Slaves. They soon went pro. Thelma created the flamboyant hats and costuming for skits, dressing herself as a man, complete with bowler hat, tap dancing to the music of "Side By Side." The Galley Slaves went on for 32 years, winning state competitions many times, playing the Santa Catalina Ballroom, performing from a flatbed truck for the Antique Automobile Club's annual parade from downtown San Diego to Ramona and many times at the Del Mar Fair.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Moberly), the East San Diego Christian Church, the Tierrasanta Christian Church, and the Vista La Mesa Christian Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in choirs and served as a board member. During her final years she took much pleasure with a group of friends having Bible Study at their homes.
Thelma's husband died in 1975. Her ability to adapt kept her going. She got her first drivers license at 68 and made several trips alone to the midwest for visits. She gave up driving as macular deterioration set in at 86. She loved to plant vegetables, cook and write heartfelt poems. She had the discipline to give up one chore at a time as needed and staying in her home provided familiarity for near blindness. She succumbed to chronic illnesses she lived with for years on July 4th.
Preceding her in death were a baby sister Estelle Elizabeth Heifner who died at birth; a stepmother Dora Mae (Towles) Heifner; two half-sisters Dollie Belle (Heifner) Alexander and Betty Lou (Heifner) Guffey and a halfbrother stillborn. Also preceding her in death were her daughter Marilyn (Mayes) Osborne and her husband Hershel Osborne; son Bob Mayes; granddaughter Jennifer (Mayes) Williams; and daughter Mary Louise (Mayes) Nolke.
Those surviving are son-in-law Vernon Nolke of Columbia, MO; Dorothy and her husband George Maupin of Princeton, IL, Audrey and her husband Ray Williams of Poway, CA; daughter-in-law Kathleen Mayes of El Cajon, CA; and Bill Mayes and his wife Lynn of San Diego, CA. She also is survived by 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave., Wednesday, July 11th, 4 to 8 p.m. Services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 12th, at Vista La Mesa Christian Church, 4210 Massachusetts Ave., La Mesa.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on July 11, 2007. Written by her son William Davis "Bill" Mayes (1948-2020) who was her caretaker in the final years of her life.
Thelma Mae Heifner was the daughter of John William Heifner and Mary Susan Frazier. She married Allard Randall Mayes, son of Robert Kenerday Mayes and Sarah Margaret Weakley, on November 30, 1927 in Macon, Macon County, Missouri and they had six children.
Obituary:
MAYES, THELMA M. April 30, 1909 to July 4, 2007
Thelma Mae (Heifner) Mayes was born in Huntsville, MO to John William and Mary Susan (Frazier) Heifner, she was a "doer." She was raised on a farm, lived 30 years in the small town of Moberly, MO, and 50 years in the city of San Diego. After losing her mother at 5 years of age, she was raised by her father. She grew up on the farm in the Darksville and Huntville area of Missouri, attending grade school by pony. She graduated from Moberly High in 1927. Her earliest goals were to be a mother, a wife, and a "down to earth" Christian.
Thelma married Allard Randall Mayes on November 30, 1927 in Moberly, MO. They had six children: Mary Louise, Juanita Marilyn, Dorothy Elaine, Audrey Helen, Robert Kanerday and William Davis. Thelma worked as a "Ma Bell" switchboard operator, and a seamstress, fitting the "hard to fit" and creating dresses for special events. Later, she started a wallpaper hanging business. It flourished until her move in 1957.
Settling in North Park, she worked at the downtown Woolworth's, managing candies, decorating store windows and arranging flowers. She created unusual bows and ribbons as customers watched and was well known as "the ribbon lady." Her last job was at Multi-craft Display in North Park. Thelma was involved actively in the community. In Moberly she held several PTA positions and was one of the first "Block Captains" of the new Neighborhood Watch program in San Diego.
In 1966, a group of ladies put together a "kitchen band", calling themselves The Galley Slaves. They soon went pro. Thelma created the flamboyant hats and costuming for skits, dressing herself as a man, complete with bowler hat, tap dancing to the music of "Side By Side." The Galley Slaves went on for 32 years, winning state competitions many times, playing the Santa Catalina Ballroom, performing from a flatbed truck for the Antique Automobile Club's annual parade from downtown San Diego to Ramona and many times at the Del Mar Fair.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Moberly), the East San Diego Christian Church, the Tierrasanta Christian Church, and the Vista La Mesa Christian Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in choirs and served as a board member. During her final years she took much pleasure with a group of friends having Bible Study at their homes.
Thelma's husband died in 1975. Her ability to adapt kept her going. She got her first drivers license at 68 and made several trips alone to the midwest for visits. She gave up driving as macular deterioration set in at 86. She loved to plant vegetables, cook and write heartfelt poems. She had the discipline to give up one chore at a time as needed and staying in her home provided familiarity for near blindness. She succumbed to chronic illnesses she lived with for years on July 4th.
Preceding her in death were a baby sister Estelle Elizabeth Heifner who died at birth; a stepmother Dora Mae (Towles) Heifner; two half-sisters Dollie Belle (Heifner) Alexander and Betty Lou (Heifner) Guffey and a halfbrother stillborn. Also preceding her in death were her daughter Marilyn (Mayes) Osborne and her husband Hershel Osborne; son Bob Mayes; granddaughter Jennifer (Mayes) Williams; and daughter Mary Louise (Mayes) Nolke.
Those surviving are son-in-law Vernon Nolke of Columbia, MO; Dorothy and her husband George Maupin of Princeton, IL, Audrey and her husband Ray Williams of Poway, CA; daughter-in-law Kathleen Mayes of El Cajon, CA; and Bill Mayes and his wife Lynn of San Diego, CA. She also is survived by 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave., Wednesday, July 11th, 4 to 8 p.m. Services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 12th, at Vista La Mesa Christian Church, 4210 Massachusetts Ave., La Mesa.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on July 11, 2007. Written by her son William Davis "Bill" Mayes (1948-2020) who was her caretaker in the final years of her life.
Obituary:
MAYES, THELMA M. April 30, 1909 to July 4, 2007
Thelma Mae (Heifner) Mayes was born in Huntsville, MO to John William and Mary Susan (Frazier) Heifner, she was a "doer." She was raised on a farm, lived 30 years in the small town of Moberly, MO, and 50 years in the city of San Diego. After losing her mother at 5 years of age, she was raised by her father. She grew up on the farm in the Darksville and Huntville area of Missouri, attending grade school by pony. She graduated from Moberly High in 1927. Her earliest goals were to be a mother, a wife, and a "down to earth" Christian.
Thelma married Allard Randall Mayes on November 30, 1927 in Moberly, MO. They had six children: Mary Louise, Juanita Marilyn, Dorothy Elaine, Audrey Helen, Robert Kanerday and William Davis. Thelma worked as a "Ma Bell" switchboard operator, and a seamstress, fitting the "hard to fit" and creating dresses for special events. Later, she started a wallpaper hanging business. It flourished until her move in 1957.
Settling in North Park, she worked at the downtown Woolworth's, managing candies, decorating store windows and arranging flowers. She created unusual bows and ribbons as customers watched and was well known as "the ribbon lady." Her last job was at Multi-craft Display in North Park. Thelma was involved actively in the community. In Moberly she held several PTA positions and was one of the first "Block Captains" of the new Neighborhood Watch program in San Diego.
In 1966, a group of ladies put together a "kitchen band", calling themselves The Galley Slaves. They soon went pro. Thelma created the flamboyant hats and costuming for skits, dressing herself as a man, complete with bowler hat, tap dancing to the music of "Side By Side." The Galley Slaves went on for 32 years, winning state competitions many times, playing the Santa Catalina Ballroom, performing from a flatbed truck for the Antique Automobile Club's annual parade from downtown San Diego to Ramona and many times at the Del Mar Fair.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Moberly), the East San Diego Christian Church, the Tierrasanta Christian Church, and the Vista La Mesa Christian Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in choirs and served as a board member. During her final years she took much pleasure with a group of friends having Bible Study at their homes.
Thelma's husband died in 1975. Her ability to adapt kept her going. She got her first drivers license at 68 and made several trips alone to the midwest for visits. She gave up driving as macular deterioration set in at 86. She loved to plant vegetables, cook and write heartfelt poems. She had the discipline to give up one chore at a time as needed and staying in her home provided familiarity for near blindness. She succumbed to chronic illnesses she lived with for years on July 4th.
Preceding her in death were a baby sister Estelle Elizabeth Heifner who died at birth; a stepmother Dora Mae (Towles) Heifner; two half-sisters Dollie Belle (Heifner) Alexander and Betty Lou (Heifner) Guffey and a halfbrother stillborn. Also preceding her in death were her daughter Marilyn (Mayes) Osborne and her husband Hershel Osborne; son Bob Mayes; granddaughter Jennifer (Mayes) Williams; and daughter Mary Louise (Mayes) Nolke.
Those surviving are son-in-law Vernon Nolke of Columbia, MO; Dorothy and her husband George Maupin of Princeton, IL, Audrey and her husband Ray Williams of Poway, CA; daughter-in-law Kathleen Mayes of El Cajon, CA; and Bill Mayes and his wife Lynn of San Diego, CA. She also is survived by 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave., Wednesday, July 11th, 4 to 8 p.m. Services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 12th, at Vista La Mesa Christian Church, 4210 Massachusetts Ave., La Mesa.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on July 11, 2007. Written by her son William Davis "Bill" Mayes (1948-2020) who was her caretaker in the final years of her life.
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