Percy W. Mays was nineteen and Nellie R. Carter was eighteen when they married on June 10, 1917 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

The 1920 census revealed Percy worked for wages as a farm laborer and they rented their home in Covington, Alleghany County, Virginia. They and their parents were all both born in Virginia. Household members: Percy W. Mays (24), Nellie R. (23) and Harry W. (1 11/12).

The 1930 census revealed they rented their home for $20 per month. Percy was nineteen and Nellie was eighteen when they first married. Household members: Percy W. May (32), Nellie R. (31), Harry W. (12), Musld S. (8), Helen M. (5) and Emmett M. (10/12).

The 1940 census revealed Percy was a salary worker as an assistant wood foreman at the paper mill, worked 52 weeks and earned $1080 in 1939. They rented their farm for $12 per month and lived in the same place as in 1935. Percy had a sixth grade education and Nellie had a ninth grade education. Household members: Percy Mays (44), Nellier (44), Merrill (18), Helen (15), Emmett (10) and Ray (4).

The WWII Draft Card dated April 27, 1942 revealed Percy Wilson Mays (46) lived on Hot Springs Road and his address was RFD #1 box 102 in Covington, Alleghany County, Virginia. Percy was born on October 9, 1895 in Rockbridge County, Virginia and worked at the West Va. Pulp & Paper Co. in Covington. Percy was 5'11" tall, had brown hair, brown eyes and a ruddy complexion. The person who would always know how to contact him, was Taft Carter on Pocohontas Ave. in Covington.

Their known children:

Harry Wilson Mays (b.1918 d.1990)
Merrill Stafford Mays (b.1921 d.2004)
Helen Marie Mays (Worsham)(b.1924)
Emmett Marion Mays (b.1929 d.1990)
Ray Preston Mays (b.1935)

They had been married about thirty-two years when Percy died in 1949.

Obituary (Covington Virginian, October 23, 1963)

{{Mrs. Nellie C. Mays - Mrs. Nellie Rachel Carter Mays, 67, of Rt. 1, Covington, died at 1 pm yesterday, at her home following an extended illness.

Mrs. Mays was born in Rockbridge County on September 30, 1896, a daughter of the late Harry Lewis and Sallie Potter Carter, has been a resident of this community since 1922, was a member of the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church, and the Woman's Society of Christian Service. She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy Wilson Mays, who died in 1949.

Mrs. Mays is survived by four sons, Murrill S. Mays and Emmett M. Mays, both of Rt. 1, Covington, Harry W. Mays, Lynchburg, and Ray P. Mays of Fairfax; one daughter, Mrs. Helen Worsham, Arlington; three brothers, H. Taft Carter, Covington, David Carter, Warm Springs, and Jacob Carter, Kingsport, Tenn.; and six sisters, Mrs. Sadie Trent and Mrs. Sallie Major, both of Richmond, Mrs. Margaret Fix, Mrs. Effie Moore, Mrs. Nancy Shinault, and Miss Dessie Carter, all of Lexington, also surviving are four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, Oct. 24, at 2 pm in the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ralph Richardson officiating, assisted by the Rev. E. Lee Chattin. Interment will be in the Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be E. E. Frye, Byron Gutshall, Cecil Potter, Hunter Mays, Harold Dressler, and J.O. Matheny.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the WSCS of Mt. Carmel Church.

The body is at the R. M. Loving Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 7:30 pm till 9 pm tonight.

The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time.}}

Nellie lived to age 67.