Berchet Dottie O'Daniel Mays

We mourn the loss of a dearly loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, trusted mentor and treasured friend. Berchet “Dottie” Mays passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in her Indian Harbour Beach home on April 1, 2021, after a period of declining health.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Dottie and her twin brother, Frank, were born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on March 21, 1944, to Jessie and Lena O’Daniel.  She and her seven siblings learned many hard lessons together growing up in the countryside of Kentucky.   Those years instilled in them their deep beliefs in the importance of family and the value of hard work.  The brothers and sisters always had each other’s backs and their close relationship never faltered.

In 1970, a friend convinced Dottie to come along on a double date with an Air Force airman she had never met.  Her saying yes to that blind date changed her life forever, because she met her soulmate, Bill Mays.  Bill and Dottie’s love affair would continue from that blind date until Bill’s passing in August 2018. 

Bill and Dottie married in 1972 and were a remarkable couple in every aspect of their lives.  They reared two wonderful children, Valerie and Stephen.  In 2003, after Valerie’s passing, Bill and Dottie immediately committed to rearing their granddaughter, Victoria. Bill and Dottie focused on teaching their children and grandchildren the importance of perseverance, strength with compassion and an unwavering dedication to family.

Dottie was happiest when she had work to do.  She started her first job at 16 years old as a local car hop.  Her dedication to hard work and keen business mind helped her to excel in every role throughout her career.  She would often share stories of her years working for Holiday Inn and Motorola as she and Bill navigated the corporate world of the 1970’s and 80’s.  In 1987, Bill and Dottie took a leap of faith and founded Call One, Inc. in Cape Canaveral, Florida.  Their creativity, grit and extraordinary work ethic built what is today’s successful, multifaceted business with over 85 employees.  The values they taught their children were mirrored in their shared business life and can be heard in the stories recounted by their employees, many of whom have been with Call One for over 20 years.

The story of Dottie cannot be told without emphasizing her love of Christmas.  We will miss her most at Christmas.  Dottie’s Christmas decorations in her home and the offices were always elaborate, beautiful fantasies of light, color and greenery.  Dottie would delight in the sparkle and twinkle of the decorations, but her true love of Christmas was revealed in her generosity to all her family, friends, and employees.  

Many are included in the bereaved family and friends.  Dottie will be missed by her son, Stephen C. Mays (Dawn); her son-in-law Jim Morian (Sandra); her grandchildren Victoria Shirley, Caroline Morian, Logan Mays, Lauren Mays, and Reagan Mays; Dottie’s siblings Ann Cantrell, Frank O’Daniel, Ronald O’Daniel (Theresa), Charlie O’Daniel (Wilma), Debra Wherry (John); and numerous extended family members. Dottie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, William “Bill” Mays, her parents, Jessie and Lena O’Daniel, her daughter, Valerie B. Morian, and her brothers, Johnnie O’Daniel and James O’Daniel.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 3pm Faith Lutheran Church, Merritt Island with a virtual option for all who cannot attend in person.  Visitation with the family is offered on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, from 5:00 pm till 6:30 pm at North Brevard Funeral Home, Titusville.

Please use the link below to join the virtual live stream of the service: 
https://zoom.us/j/99812107617

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.