Mayes struck the man in the back of the head.
The impact broke the lid of the urn, but she didn't stop there.
Mayes slung a wrought iron chair at him, then a metal frame, then the bottom piece of the urn.
The man was armed with a knife, Still, he was defeated and staggered out the door.
Mayes was unhurt.
She credits the urn with saving her life.