Rachel Mays

Funeral services for Rachel Mays, of Soper, Okla., were held at 2 p.m. May 22, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Soper. Rachel passed away May 19, 2021, at the age of 70.

Rachel Mays was born on Aug. 9, 1950 in Bennington, Okla., to Boswell “Buster” and Alice (Brokeshoulder) Bully. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Paul Bully and Bill Bully; sisters: Mary Floyd and Margie Brown.

Rachel was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. With Choctaw being her native tongue, Rachel overcame the language barrier and taught herself to read and write in English at a very early age. With her hard work and sheer determination, she became the Valedictorian her senior year and graduated in 1970 from Bennington High School. She married Kenneth Mays on Oct. 12, 1972 in Boswell, Okla. They made their home in the Soper area, where Rachel was a member of the Nelson and Us group located in the Nelson Community Center. As a youth she was saved at Wade Baptist Church, baptized at Bokchito Baptist Church and later became a member of the Soper First Baptist Church. She worked as a CNA for a while, then attended Kiamichi Vo-Tech in Hugo where she received her certified medical aide license. She worked for many years at the Baptist Village, as well as Hugo Manor Nursing Home and Choctaw Memorial Hospital. Rachel loved her job and had a strong work ethic. She loved to laugh and her quick wit caused many people to enjoy her sense of humor. Rachel enjoyed crocheting and traveling. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Rachel is survived by her husband, Kenneth; son, Kirk Mays of Sawyer, Okla.; daughter, Terri Mays of Soper; two grandchildren; brother, Roy Bully of Durant, Okla.; sisters: Patricia Bully, Emma Bully, Marie Haag and Donna Bully of Durant, along with a host of other friends, family and loved ones.

Interment followed the service at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Soper with Bro. Doug McClure officiating, under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.