Maynard Lee Prillaman
April 9, 1936 — March 3, 2026
Rocky Mount, VA
Maynard Lee Prillaman, age 89 of Rocky Mount, Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 3rd, 2026, with his son and grandson by his side. He was the son of the late Raymond Jackson and Vivian Cassie Elgin Prillaman. Maynard was born on April 9, 1936, in his grandparents (Christian Monroe and Rosa Hannah Jackson Prillaman) home in Callaway, Virginia. In 1942, his parents moved to Armistead Gardens in Baltimore, Maryland, where his dad worked for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company building aircraft. In 1945-1950, Maynard was a member of the Armistead Squadron Drum and Bugle Corps, where he played fife, tenor drum, bass drum, and two valve bugle. During Maynard’s time with the Armistead Squadron Drum and Bugle Corps, he competed in the cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia, Richmond, and other cities along the Eastern United States. Maynard returned to the Callaway area, attending ninth grade at Franklin County High School and graduating in 1956. Maynard married his high school sweetheart, Edith Marie Oakes, on October 14th, 1956. In 1959, Maynard was drafted into the Army, where he served for 11 months within the United States and 13 months in Korea. While in Korea, Maynard was assigned to Company E, 20th Infantry Dog Platoon, patrolling the Korean Demilitarized Zone with his faithful German Shepherd named Rintin. Maynard was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army on August 31st, 1965. Maynard enjoyed his career as an automotive mechanic for 41 years, beginning part-time in High School with mentorship from Ben Davis at Ben’s Garage in Rocky Mount. For the last 24 years of his automotive career, he was self-employed, owning the late By Pass Exxon. While self-employed, he worked alongside his wife, son, and part-time staff. After retiring and closing his business in December 1999, he took a part-time job at Flora Funeral Service, where he continued to serve the community for 18 years. Maynard was an active member of Rocky Mount First Church of the Brethren for over 60 years. He also loved being outdoors no matter if he was sitting in the swing on the carport, watching grandkids play sports, fishing, or mowing the grass. Maynard enjoyed riding motorcycles with his children, brother-in-law Muncie Rabun Oakes, nephew Darell Oakes, and bicycling with his grandchildren.
Maynard was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Hunter Birckhead, sister-in-law Bernice Scott Culler, and brother-in-law Muncie Rabun Oakes.
Maynard will be forever loved and missed by his wife of 69 years, Edith Oakes Prillaman; son, Leon Maynard Prillaman (Denise) and daughter, Jeannie Marie Prillaman Williams (Richard). He had two very special grandchildren, Joshua Prillaman (Ana) and Alexandria Prillaman; a special sister, Doris Biehl (Dave); brother-in-law, Julian Elwood Oakes (Elizabeth); sister-in-law, Patricia Oakes, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, wonderful friends and neighbors. A special thank you to Alex Prillaman, Maynard’s Granddaughter, who took very special care of her Papa over the past two months. The family would also like to thank the following: Lee Flora, past coworkers, and friends at Flora Funeral Home, Annie Robertson, Maddie Bray, Presley Washburn, Franklin County Department of Aging, Franklin County Rescue Squad, Fresenius Kidney Care Franklin County, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Salem VA Medical Center, and the Rocky Mount Health and Rehabilitation Center for taking very good care of our father over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making memorial contributions to the American Legion Post 6, 136 Tanyard Road, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151, or the Franklin County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2118, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151.
Funeral services will be held at Flora Funeral Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Entombment with Military Honors will follow at the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum, Mountain View Memorial Park. His family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.
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