Carol Harris Mayes, 58, beloved daughter of Elizabeth Mayes and the late G.R. Mayes, died unexpectedly Feb. 12. Carol was a native of the Ramah community of Huntersville. She was a principal of Mayes Wilson & Associates, a conservation consulting firm which she founded in 2001.
A life-long land conservationist, Mayes worked for The Nature Conservancy from 1986-2001; she was the founding executive director of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Dominica Country program; director of Science and Stewardship for the North Carolina Chapter; and assistant director, Protection Planning and Stewardship.
Carol was a founder and board member of the Davidson Farmer’s Market; a member of the Land Trust Alliance’s consultant “faculty;” former member of Mecklenburg County Parks and Recr eation advisory committee; Upper Rocky River Watershed planning committee; Stoney Creek Watershed planning committee and The American Legion Auxiliary.
Mayes was a graduate of North Mecklenburg High School, earned her B.S. from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and an M.S. from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
She was preceded in death by her father, G.R. Mayes, Jr. She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth McCord Mayes; brothers: Glenn Mayes (Betsy), Daniel Mayes and Thompson Mayes (Rod); nephew, David Mayes (Jessica); niece, Elisa Mayes; and great-nephew, Colton, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Davidson Farmer’s Market c/o Davidson Lands Conservancy, PO Box 1952 Davidson, NC 28036 or the Davidson Lands Conservancy, P.O. Box 1952, Davidson, NC 28036.
The family will receive friends from 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Ramah Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., with Rev. Kurt Johnston officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
