Juanita G. (Summers) Mays, 82, of Peru, passed away on June 9, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving children. She was born in Wabash, IN on November 22, 1941, the daughter of Oscar and Grace (Robinson) Summers. She was a 1959 graduate of Chili High School. Juanita married Rex E. Mays at Center Chapel Church in Wabash County on October 18, 1959. Rex preceded her in death on September 19, 2008. She was a wonderful, loving homemaker. She was known for her sewing talent, her Angel Food cakes, and her master Easter Egg hiding skills! She inspired and assisted many 4-H kids with their sewing projects. She made her daughter’s wedding dress from a sketch as well as constructing many other beautiful articles. Even her great-grandchildren knew Grandma and her sewing machine could fix anything! Scraps of materials were made into beautiful quilts for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, nursing homes, women’s shelters, and the homeless. She also loved to cross stitch, make afghans, sew bowl coozies, knit wash cloths, and crochet scrubbies. She worked at Van’s Sporting Goods running the embroidery machine. One year as the family watched the Super Bowl, she was looking at the sidelines pointing out the hats she embroidered. She also drove RV’s for Don Ray’s with Rex for several years. The traveling was especially fun as they were able to take the oldest two grandsons on many trips showing them the country and reconnecting with extended family across the continent. Her favorite ‘jobs’ were Mom and Grandma devoting her time and love to her family in whatever they were involved. She was blessed to be able to take her family on family vacations to Hawaii, Alaska, Outer Banks, NC, and Gulf Shores, AL. She was a member of Parkview United Methodist Church. Her life was a tapestry of faith in God, love, strength, support, courage, and understanding. Many times she said her report card was her children. Surviving are her children Marcia (Greg) Minard of Peru, Curtis (Anna) Mays of Kingston, WA and Doug (Karen) Mays of Wabash; grandchildren Dustin (Katie) Minard - Angola, IN, Corey (Alexis) Minard - Highlands Ranch, CO, Lucas (Sarah) Mays - Seattle, WA, Trevor Mays – Chicago, IL, Parker Mays – Indianapolis, and Kayla Mays - Wabash; great-grandchildren Kayla, Haleigh, Nash, Nataley, Jackson, Elijah, Delilah, and Mason Minard; great great-grandchildren Aubree and Liam; brothers David (Connie) Summers of Wabash, Scott (Stephanie) Summers of Roann, sister-in-law Marlene Ramsey of Lebanon, brother-in-law David Stout of Wabash; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband Rex of 49 years, parents Oscar and Grace Summers, sisters Joretta Kerschner and Annette Stout, brother Francis Summers, brothers-in-law Paul Kerschner, Don Ramsey, Carl Mays, sister-in-law Joan Mays, and in-laws Lawrence and Pearl Mays.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 10:00am-2:00pm at Parkview United Methodist Church, 1785 IN-19, Peru, Indiana. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm with Rev. J. Robert Clark and Pastor John Mansur officiating. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.
Although Juanita’s body lost its fight against cancer, her soul was rewarded with God’s gift of complete wholeness in heaven! She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will continue to live on through us. The family wishes to thank her doctors and staff at Parkview Wabash and Parkview Oncology (PRMC) Fort Wayne for the exceptional care she received. In lieu of flowers, the family requests your consideration of making a donation through the Miami County Community Foundation to either the Rex E. Mays Memorial Fund to support youth and promote sportsmanship or the M & M (Mays & Minard) Give Back Community Fund to support the Miami County community grants program.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Juanita Grace (Summers) Mays, please visit our floral store.
