Ethel Lorraine Tefteller Mayes, age 72, of Bella Vista, after a lengthy 14 year battle fighting cancer, crossed over into of arms of Jesus on the morning of April 22, 2017 at the Circle of Life in Springdale. She was born on October 17, 1944 in Henderson, Texas, the daughter of James Wesley Tefteller, Sr. and Beulah Mae Valentine Tefteller. She spent her childhood in Texas and later moved with her family to Elm Springs, AR. where she met her husband, Richard Leroy Mayes, of Farmington, AR. They were married in Elm Springs on May 1, 1959. They spent nearly 58 years together fully devoted to each other always committed to remaining best friends.

Ethel was a very devoted wife and mother. She loved being a home maker. She made it her life's goal to maintain a warm and cozy home. She adored, the love of her life, Richard and their four children. Together they created a family full of adventure, creativity and fun. She was an accomplished decorator and enjoyed working alongside her husband to decorate the homes he built.

She also loved to entertain guests and was a wonderful cook. She loved to swim. One of her greatest joys was hosting poolside cookouts. She also loved to travel and spent many happy times camping, hiking, and visiting state parks. Ethel loved the outdoors. She adored song birds and enjoyed landscaping with Richard. Her other hobbies included visual arts such as painting and cross stitch. She also rocked the bowling alley as league member in her youth. She was also a gifted career woman and business owner. Early in her marriage she obtained a cosmetology license and went into business with her best friend, Barbara Garriott. They owned the Campus Beauty Shop and later opened Ann Lynne's shop located in historic Springdale. In 1978 she decided to become a stay at home mom until 1991. At that time, due to much encouragement from Richard, Ethel finally pursued her dream of becoming a real estate agent. She was very successful and loved working for Lindsey and Associates where she enjoyed a new "family" and developed many very close friends. She loved her Lindsey family and they loved her as well.

In addition to her parents death, Ethel was preceded in death by her younger brother, Gordon Tefteller, who was hailed as a hero when he was killed in action during the Vietnam War in 1967. Ethel was also preceded in death by three sisters; Audrey Tefteller Turner, Dorothy Tefteller Stone, and Shirley Tefteller Boatwright, and her brother James Wesley Tefteller Jr.

She is survived by two brothers, Eddie Tefteller of Palm Springs, CA. , and Hubert Tefteller of Covington, Texas. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Leroy Mayes, and their four children; Ricky Gordon Mayes, Lisa Michelle Mayes Woods, Matthew Kyle Mayes and Jason Robert Mayes.   and her thirteen grandchildren all of northwest Arkansas.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 A.M., May 2, 2017 at Cross Church in Springdale with Reverend Charlie Foster and Bob Mays officiating, under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Ave. Springdale, Arkansas 72762. The family request that in Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road Springdale, Arkansas 72762