John A. Mayberry

On November 27, 1920 in Nopal, Texas, the world was blessed with the birth of John Alton Mayberry affectionately known as "Uncle Bill or Mayberry" to the late Jake & Beulah Francis Mayberry. Uncle Bill was called home on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 after a brief illness. He was the eldest of seventeen children. Six siblings preceded him in death. Five brothers Mathew, Cornelius, Vanilla, LJ, Shevry and one sister Deloris Hickman. The family later moved to Nordheim, Texas where he attended public school until the age of sixteen when he enlisted in the United States Army. During his station in Fort Meade, Maryland, Uncle Bill met and married the late Elvira G. Norman. Of this union were six children. Uncle Bill served faithfully in the United States Army for twenty-seven years. He served in the Korean War, World War I Uncle Bill definitely had a story to share, some were good and some were not. After retiring from the Army on May 31, 1969, Uncle Bill moved to Poth, Texas where he purchased a home for his Mother and himself. While in Poth, Uncle Bill joined the fellowship of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and was ordained a Deacon under the leadership of the late Rev. Jessie Lee. Uncle Bill was serious about his walk with Christ. He wanted to make sure that when the Lord called for him to come home, he would be ready and he was. Over the years Uncle Bill worked for H B Zachary, Construction Company and Knowlton's Dairy (Oak Farms) until he began his thirty-three years plus career with Joeris General Contractor's. Even after Uncle Bill retired from Joeris he continued to go there every day just to sit and "chew the fat". That was Uncle Bill; he enjoyed talking to anyone who crossed his path. Just ask Darlye who spent many days with Uncle Bill as they traveled from worksite to worksite. He was a great conversationalist and a great influence to many. And, he always had a story to tell. As time passed, Uncle Bill was married to Jacqueline Mayberry and later to Willamae Ramsey. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Bill Mayberry you knew you had a friend for life. He was a stranger to no one. When you met him, you received a heartwarming smile a shuffle dance and a jig. Did you also know that he was a charmer? These were Uncle Bill's lifelong signatures. Six days a week until his driving privileges were revoked by his family, Uncle Bill would go to HEB, buy donuts & cookies and take them to various children and adults from Newell's Recycling in San Antonio, to Canyon Lake to Stockdale to Floresville. That was Uncle Bill. He believed in "If I can help somebody as I travel along the way, then my living shall not be in vain." While living in Poth, Texas Uncle Bill became a member of the VFW Post #8555. After moving to San Antonio, he joined the United Brotherhood of San Antonio where he served faithfully on both until his health began to fail. When Uncle Bill could no longer drive, he began to attend the Zion Star Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. O. L. McNary and later under Rev. Anthony Cobbs. As with everything else, Uncle Bill gave his all to Zion Star. He was a studious tithes paying member. Some of Uncle Bill's greatest times were coming to Baltimore, Maryland to visit with his grandchildren, going fishing and playing dominos with his nephews Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Mayberry, Adrian Tillman and his great-nephew, Lewis Johnson. They never took pity on his age to allow him to win, however, when he did win, you knew it. Don't forget, Uncle Bill loved hauling his junk which he did daily except on Sunday's. Uncle Bill never talked about his illness. Whenever someone would ask him how he was doing, his reply would always be "Still kicking but not too high, flopping but can't fly" Again, that was Uncle Bill. Uncle Bill leaves to cherish fond and loving memories, three sons, Drew (Annie) of Hartford, Conn., Tracey of Jessup, Maryland, Daniel (Veronica) of Baltimore, Maryland, four daughters, Anne M. H. Jones (Robert) of Moreno Valley, California, Gail Raiford (Ricky), Susie Lang (Johnny) of Baltimore, Maryland and Sandra Green of Severn, Maryland. Nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Seven sisters, Dorothy Jefferson, Sarah Thomas, Linda Porter, Rose Mary Johnson and Anna Williams of San Antonio, Texas, Mary Ellen Hicks of Duncansville, Texas and Geraldine Mayberry of Pensacola, Florida. Three brothers, Morris Mayberry (Betty) of Floresville, Texas, Earl Mayberry (Joann) of San Antonio, Texas and Rev. Kenneth Ray Mayberry of California. One Uncle, John Taylor of California and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.