FLINT, MI — Family, friends and fans of the late Eric Mays said their final farewells to the longtime city councilman during a funeral service on Saturday, March 23.
Polarizing and strong-willed, Mays served 10 years on the council, often ruffling feathers while representing some of Flint’s poorest people.
He died at age 65 on Feb. 24 in his Russell Avenue home.
“Mays wasn’t afraid to speak his truth,” said Tonya Burns, Flint City Councilwoman. “He let everyone know he was a Black man from the north side of Flint.”
Mays was buried at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint Township following Saturday’s service. Family members left a wreath at Flint City Hall to honor his memory.
The son of a pastor, Mays was one of nine children of the late Rev. Louis H. and Rosie B. Mays.
He graduated from Flint Northern High School and Michigan State University and retired from General Motors, serving as a district committeeperson and recording secretary for local unions of the United Auto Workers.
He died while serving a 90-day suspension on the council for conduct unbecoming of a council member, but fought the discipline in council chambers and court.
The suspension was the last but hardly the only controversy involving Mays, who also made his mark in Flint political history as one of the first local elected officials to acknowledge the Flint water crisis, lending his booming voice to what was a fledgling protest movement.
Mays’ brand of politics rang true with his constituents, who valued his willingness to field their calls and to help navigate their issues to the right desk inside City Hall.
“Councilman Mays brought attention to the courts of local government,” Burns said. “Especially urban areas with a Black population. Councilman Mays fought for labor unions, the Flint water crisis, the House of Esther and more.”
Along the way, he often clashed with other officials and council members.
He sued Mayor Sheldon Neeley, the city, the police chief and other council members in recent years.
After one federal lawsuit, a judge ordered Mays to pay the city’s legal expenses incurred while defending the case — a cost garnished from the wages he earned as a council member.
Mays’ political strength grew over the past decade and he gained a national social media following thanks to viral videos that featured his confrontations with other council members and his often-used points of order during city meetings.
First elected by just a seven-vote margin in 2013, he was the longest-serving member of the current council and organized committees to run for mayor in 2008, 2015 and 2022.
Eric Mays, son of Councilman Eric B. Mays, plants a wreath outside of Flint City Hall during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A wreath of Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays stands outside of Flint City Hall during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Eric Mays, the son of Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays, sits in the front row with his family during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners attend a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Bishop Alvernis Johnson, of Saginaw, officiates the funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Flint City Councilwoman Jerri Winfrey-Carter shares some reflections during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A mourner pays their respects looking over the remains of Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays during a funeral service at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as musical selections play during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Immediate members of the family sit during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A casket holds the remains of Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays during a funeral service at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A mourner plays a tambourine during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A mourner pays their respects looking over the remains of Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays during a funeral service at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A mourner pays their respects to the family during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Former Mayor of Flint Karen Weaver speaks during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
A mourner holds a program during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Bishop Neal Roberson-Jackson, of Mississippi, delivers a eulogy during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Flint City Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer shares some reflections during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Flint City Councilwoman Tonya Burns shares some reflections during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as musical selections play during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Eric Mays, son of Councilman Eric B. Mays, sits with his wife, during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Joseph Cannizzo, Esq., left, and other members of the Lento Law Group, speak during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as musical selections play during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as musical selections play during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as musical selections play during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Eric Mays, son of Councilman Eric B. Mays, plants a wreath outside of Flint City Hall during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as musical selections play during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
The Highest Praise Choir, of Flint, sings during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Eric Mays, son of Councilman Eric B. Mays, walks with his family to plant a wreath outside of Flint City Hall during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as a musical selection plays during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as a musical selection plays during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners stand as a musical selection plays during a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Mourners attend a funeral service for late Flint City Councilman Eric B. Mays at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Read more at The Flint Journal:
Tributes pour in as death silences Flint Councilman Eric Mays’ bold, unwavering voice
Flint City Councilman Eric Mays dies
Applications being accepted to fill Flint council seat vacated by the late Eric Mays
