Mayne, John Wilson
6/15/1962
February 6, 1884 - June 15, 1962 |
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| Rev. John Wilson Mayne was born February 6, 1884 at Van, Texas, son of Wesley F. Mayne and Georgia Lowrey Mayne. When he was five years old he expressed a desire to join the Methodist Church and a year later told his family that he was going to be a Methodist preacher. He was following in the footsteps of his forebears. His father, Wesley Mayne, grandfather Samuel Mayne and grandfather J. W. Lowrey were all ministers in the Methodist Church. John graduated from High School as valedictorian of his class at Lindale, Texas, and entered Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas. He served Thorndale Circuit while in the University. When he was 19 years old he surrendered to the call to preach the Gospel. He was licensed to praech June 1, 1903, and entered the Ministry on a trial basis in the Texas Conference November, 190S. For 53 years he carried the Banner of the Cross in many places to many people. His preaching was evangelistic and many were added to the Church wherever he proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. John’s devotion to the Church and Christ’s teachings were the predominant characteristics in his life. On November 26, 1906 he married Miss Della Maybel Brundidge at Wills Point, Texas. For 56 years they labored together in the Lord’s vineyard and thanked God daily for His blessings. Reverend John W. Mayne took a special interest in the young men entering the Ministry. Among those who he felt very near to as they went out from congregations that he had served as pastor were: Bishop Angie Smith, and Bill Slack from Taylor, Texas; Ennis Bill from Brownwood, Texas; Ray Johnson and Lester Davenport from Weatherford, Texas; M. C. and Rosemary Cady, missionaries to Brazil from Lake Charles, Louisiana; and a cousin, Rev. Elmer Mayne and wife Ann, in the Texas Conference. He thought of them as his sons in the Gospel. John had a splendid library, he had an insatiable desire for knowledge and was a tireless reader. When he retired he gave the larger part of his books to young ministers. He was truly a man of good will to all. He never held a grudge and when an injury was inflicted it was forgiven before forgiveness was asked. It was often said by those who knew him best that he possessed a most forgiving spirit. His sympathy was always with the burdened, the sorrowing, the discouraged and oppressed. No hour was too late, night too dark or road too long for John to answer a call for help, whether it be from friend or stranger. The sincerity and nobility of his character, the purity of his motives were apparent to all who knew him. He was a man of peace, and was often requested by those who had misunderstandings and differences to settle, to advise together in these matters. He viewed all sides with unbiased judgment and a deep desire for justice to prevail. During the railroad strike on the I. & 0. N. in 1921 the town of Mart, Texas, which was a railroad division center, called for a mass meeting at the City Auditorium and selected John to be the speaker for the occasion. There were officials of railroad as well as Union members (on strike) in attendance. John spoke on “The Golden Rule,” and both sides approved and violence was averted. Both sides respected and listened to the rule of Christ to “Do unto others as ye would men should do unto you”. John was faithful to every trust and responsibility which life presented to him. His Faith was undying and like St. Paul he knew whom he had believed and was persuaded that God was able to keep that which he had committed unto Him against that day. Brother Mayne loved and trusted everyone, he believed there was a spark of the divine in every human heart and it was his pur-pose to nurture and fan into a flame that divine spark. Among the charges Brother Mayne served were Grace Church (Houston), Dalhart, Canyon, Snyder, Graham, Taylor, Mart, Mulkey Memorial (Ft. Worth), First Church Weatherford, Ranger, Central Church (Brownwood), St. John’s (Dallas), Kessler Park (Dallas), Meadowbrook (Ft. Worth), San Marcos, Texas. Gurdon, Arkansas. Ar-cadia, Simpson Memorial (Lake Charles), Vinton and Park Avenue (Shreveport), Louisiana. Farmington, New Mexico, on the Navajo reservation, where he baptized and received Little Chief into the Methodist Church. Little Chief was the last Chief of the Navajo tribe. John retired June, 1954 and moved to Denver, Colorado, where he and Mrs. Mayne resided with their daughter until death claimed him to join the Heavenly Hosts and to meet the loved ones over there. His favorite song was “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord” and his favorite poem “The Crystal Christ”. His favorite flower was the “Easter Lily”. Death was no surprise to his family and friends, since he had been failing in health for some time. Brother Mayne died on June 15th, 1962. Funeral services were held June 18th in Westminister Methodist Church, by the Dr. Walter J. Boigegrain, the Pastor, assisted by Rev. Bronston M. Greenwood, pastor of Highlands Methodist Church. Interment was in Tower of Memories, Denver, Colorado. Reverend Mayne had few hobbies or interest outside the Church other than being a leader in Community affairs of the cities in which his pastorate was located. He belonged to many organizations in this connection including Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis and Civitan. He served on numerous Commissions, boards, councils and commit-tees in the various Conferences, including teaching in leadership training schools. Brother Mayne is survived by his widow, Della M. Mayne. Son, Robert F. Mayne of Palo Alto, California. daughter, Mrs. Jeanne M. George of Westminster, Colorado. Grandson Larry Mayne of Palo Alto, California and granddaughter Mrs. Janice Fajardo of Pasadena, California. Many nephews and nieces in Texas, and a host of friends in every place where he served as pastor. Truly it may be said of him “that he walked humbly with his Lord”. Written by those who knew him best and loved him most, |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Church, Pages 255-258, 1964 by The Mayne Family. | |
