A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, Dr. Mays is married to the former Brenda Nelson of Jacksonville, Florida.  They have two daughters, Amanda and Megan Mays of Charleston, South Carolina.

His B.A. degree came from Southeastern University.  He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary.

From 1975 to 1978 he was pastor of Lisbon and Mountville Presbyterian Churches.  Then from 1978 to 1993 he pastored McCullough and Whitmire Presbyterian Churches.  Since 1986 he has been a commissioned officer, chaplain, and recruiter for chaplains in the United States Air Force Reserve.  Dr. Mays came to pastor Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church in 1994.