Beatrice Mayes

Funeral services for Beatrice “Bea” Mayes, 97, of Greenfield were held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 4, 2021, at United Methodist Church in Greenfield with burial in Greenfield Cemetery. Pastor Melinda Stonebraker officiated the service. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield was in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Beatrice Evelyn Heatherington, older daughter of Walter and Flora (Cramer) Heatherington was born Feb. 20, 1924, near Prescott. This young family moved to the Heatherington family farm near Carl, in Adams County in 1926.

Bea’s earliest education was at Carl No. 10 country school, but the family moved to a farm northwest of Carl in 1934, completing her years in country school at Carl No. 4.

She graduated from Corning High School in 1941 and after attended Grand Island (Nebraska) Business College and was later employed in Grand Island for over a year.

In May 1943, she became a bookkeeper at the Greenfield Creamery. Later in the summer of 1943, she was introduced at a company picnic to a local young man named Donald Mayes. After a two-year courtship, the couple was married in the Greenfield United Methodist Church, Nov. 11, 1945.

Their first home was made in Waterloo, as Don was employed by his older brother Raymond. Don had a lifelong dream of living and working on a farm. This dream was fulfilled when they moved onto the Henry Buchholz farm southeast of Greenfield in February 1947. They both loved the farm and became landowners in the early 1950s, purchasing the farm from Henry and Emma Buchholz. They sold the farm in 1999 and moved to a newly built home in south east Greenfield, living there happily until Don’s passing in February 2012.

Three children were born of this union: John Brian in 1949, Jane Kathleen in 1950 and Craig Lee in 1955. Bea was a lifelong member of the Methodist faith. She served the Greenfield United Methodist Church as treasurer for 17 years. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 65 years, serving her chapter twice as worthy matron and chapter secretary for 27 years.

She is survived by three children: son, John (Deborah) Mayes of San Antonio, Texas, daughter, Jane (Patrick) Beeman of Grimes, son, Craig Mayes of Des Moines; four grandchildren: Sara (Sean O.) Curry of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Adam (Tessa) Mayes of San Antonio, Texas, Jon (Leah) Beeman of Johnston and Jason (JoAnn) Beeman of Madrid; eight great-grandchildren: Sean Peter Curry, Brenna Kathryn Curry, Della Ann Emilia-Baden, Betty Kay Mayes-Baden, Emma Lilly Beeman, Austen River Beeman, Megan Leigh Beeman and Ryan Michael Beeman; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Her family was important in her life and she loved them all dearly.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald Lee Mayes; her parents; younger sister Mary Hoadley Frus and grandson Brian Mayes.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Greenfield United Methodist Church, the Greenfield Order of the Eastern Star, or the charity of your choice.