Charles and Doris Mays Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 392

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence and documentation of Charles William Mays during his time in World War II as apprentice seamen for the U.S. Coast Guard. The collection also has photographs of Charles’ family and his wife Doris Alice (ne Anderson) Mays. Other documents in this collection include Doris’ application process for the Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) for the United States Air Force, as well as a letter from Jacqueline Cochran, head of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II.

Dates

Creation: 1930 - 1957

Biographical / Historical

Charles William Mays (1915-1942) was born February 20,1915 in Bradenton, Florida to Saide Mays (later Pinard) and William P. Mays. Charles married Doris Alice Anderson in 1935. Charles was drafted in the United States Coast Guard as an apprentice seaman in 1940 during World War II. He would later be killed in action in March of 1942 in Maryland. Charles is buried at Manasota Memorial Park.

Doris Alice Anderson was born October 14,1918 in Sarasota, Florida to Joseph Calvin Anderson and Polly Ivey Corrigan. After Charles’ death, she was remarried in 1942 to Gerald W. Grimes, and then later to Ralph Francis Davis in 1946. In response to Charles’ death, Doris applied and worked towards joining the Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) for the United States Air Force. Doris died in 2002 and is buried at Sarasota Memorial Park.

Extent

0.75 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Physical Location

This collection is stored offsite in a remote storage facility. Materials from the collection can be brought to the Sarasota County History Center for viewing upon request. Please contact the Sarasota County History Center by phone at 941-861-6090 or by email at historycenter@scgov.net at least three business days before your visit to ensure the material will be available when you arrive.

General

The Sarasota County History Center collects historical records and publications that were created over a broad span of time by a wide variety of individuals and groups. Some of the content in these collections may contain language or imagery that today would be considered negative, inappropriate or offensive. The contents of these historical collections do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs or policies of the History Center, the Department of Libraries and Historical Resources or Sarasota County Government. These materials are made available to the public strictly for research and educational purposes.