Nelva Lynn Leonard Moore Mays

Nelva Lynn Leonard Moore Mays, 86, El Dorado Springs, passed away Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, at Community Springs Nursing Facility. Nelva was born Dec 12, 1937, in Monegaw, St Clair County, to William Warner Leonard and Dorthey Mildred Turner Leonard.

Nelva was married to John Charles Moore for 17 years. Three children were born into this union: Elizabeth Kay, Nina Faye, and John Charles. Later, Nelva was married to Deral Floyd Mays for 47 years.

Nelva was saved and baptized at a young age. She was currently a member of Union Hall Baptist Church. She worked at Hines Grocery during her early years and helped manage a grain elevator in Nebraska for close to 20 years. After retiring, she moved back to El Dorado Springs and started a cleaning service. She loved hunting, fishing, cooking and gardening; she especially enjoyed tending her flower gardens and making wedding cakes for her friends and family. She also loved to travel.

Preceding Nelva in death was her husband, Deral; parents, William and Dorothy Leonard; sisters, Lula Kay (Leonard) McCullick, Judy Leonard, Mary Beth Leonard, Mildred Hines and Dorothy Helen Leonard; brothers, Bill Leonard, Daniel Leonard and Charles Leonard. and two grandchildren, Jessie Bell and Zachary Bell.

Survivors include Elizabeth and Bill Leek – Olathe, KS, Faye and Rocky Koger – El Dorado Springs, and John and Dulce Moore, Aurora; step-children, Debbie Cornejo, El Dorado Springs, Donna Rock – El Dorado Springs; Gayle and Danny Bell – Harwood; and Sheila and Mike Howell – Nevada; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Willis, Hank, David and John Leonard, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at noon Friday, Feb. 2, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home with Rev. Don Barger officiating. A visitation will be held immediately before the service beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Love Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Union Hall Baptist Church or the Wayside Inn Museum. Donations may be left at the funeral home.