Funeral Set for Slain Greenville Toddler

Staff Reports

Published: January 7, 2009

Family members of little Samuri Mayes tell us her wake will be held on Friday evening from 7-7:30pm at Watkins and Garrett Funeral Home on Augusta Rd.
Her funeral is on saturday at 3pm at Valley Brook Church in Pelzer. 

Earlier this week, deputies responded to Department of Social Services after a supervisor claimed the father of Samuri Mayes head-butted him at the end of a meeting, according to the Greenville Sheriff’s Office. 

Investigators say Mayes was beaten to death Friday, December 2.  Deputies discovered Mayes’s mother, Shawonna Watts, had an active bench warrant with Greenville Police. City officers took Watts into custody for an outstanding warrant.

The DSS supervisor has been referred to a magistrate to pursue charges against the father for assault and battery, according to the Greenville Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say they are also investigating allegations of threats being made to a family member of Lavonda Maxwell, who has been charged in Mayes’s death.