Essie B. Bays, 85, Maple Hill, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Midland Hospice. She was born on July 29, 1928 in Valley Falls, Kansas to Curtis C. and Margaret (Marshall) Newman.
Essie graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1946. She was an LPN for St. Francis Hospital for several years before retiring in 1992. She was a member of Maple Hill Community Congregational Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 130 in Maple Hill and the African Violet Society. She served on several boards in the Wabaunsee area and volunteered with the USD 330 school district, helping children with reading for over 18 years.
On November 21, 1951, she married Eugene "Sam" C. Bays in Maple Hill, he preceded her in death on October 8, 1975. She was also preceded in death by five brothers and her twin sister.
Essie is survived by three sons, James (Debbie), Gerald (Marva) and Daniel Bays, all of Maple Hill; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and many-many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at Maple Hill Community Congregational Church. Burial will follow in the Maple Hill Cemetery. Essie will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. on Monday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Hill Cemetery Association for the care of the Old Stone Church, c/o the funeral home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604 or the Maple Hill Senior Center, 218 Main St., Maple Hill, KS 66507.