Mason Carmichael Mays

LAKELAND – Mason Carmichael Mays passed away peacefully on December 22, 2023, after a short illness. She was surrounded by her family. In departing this world, she leaves behind a legacy as a devoted wife, beloved mother and grandmother, respected friend, mentor, and community leader.

Her parents, Beulah, and Parks Carmichael preceded her in death. She was born in Gainesville, Florida, on January 29, 1939, at Gainesville Memorial Hospital. Mason graduated from Gainesville High School with high honors and was nominated to Girls State. She attended the University of Florida where she was a Chi Omega and graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1961.

In February 1961, Mason married Charles Parkhill Mays, Jr., and shared her life with him for 62 years. She accompanied him while he served in the United States Army and upon his discharge, the young couple moved to Tampa, Florida, as Parkhill started his law career. Mason and Parkhill moved to Lakeland in September 1964 where he joined Holland, Bevis, Smith & Kibler, which became Holland & Knight LLP, from which he retired in 2019.

Throughout the years, Mason was active as a homemaker, raising her four children. She participated in various civic and social organizations, including Lakeland Little Theatre, Candy Stripers at Lakeland Memorial Hospital, Junior League of Greater Lakeland, Contemporary Club, Dresden Antique Club, Campfire Girls, P.E.O., “Jus’ Talkin’”, Awesome Angels, Needlepoint Guild, The Lakeland Country Club (previously Lakeland Yacht & Country Club), Lone Palm Golf Club, Highlands Falls Country Club and First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland. She was highly skilled in needlepoint and in the game of bridge and was an avid reader. Her library at home was full of the books she read, and she loved to be amongst her books. She was a highly intelligent, articulate, and beautiful lady.

Mason had a rich family heritage, including lineage through the Daniel and Behetheland Bird families, the Butler families, and other early settlers of our country.

Mason is survived by her husband, Parkhill, and four children - Charles Parkhill Mays, III, and his wife, Lisa, and their children, Laura and Elizabeth; Katherine M. Hamp and her husband, Thorsten, and their son, Joshua; Dr. Brooks Bellamy Mays and his wife, Kathryn, and their children, Caroline, Brooks Jr., and Robert; and Sara M. Nastopoulos and her husband, John, and their children, Elizabeth and John Jr.

We wish to thank Mason’s caregivers, Lila Schultz, and Teresa Stanley, for their years of care and love to Mason. We also wish to thank the doctors and staff at Lakeland Regional Medical Center for their expert care and support.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 11 a.m., with reception following at the church. The memorial service will be streamed live and can be viewed at the following link http://YouTube.com/fpclakeland.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801, or to the charity of one’s choice.