maphis was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1985. he died on june 27, 1986. his guitar hero was mother maybelle carter, matriarch of the carter family. maybelle's daughter june carter cash and june's husband johnny cash so admired maphis that he was laid to rest in the cash and carter family hendersonville, tennessee burial plot next to maybelle, her husband, ezra carter, and her daughter, anita carter.