Mayo, William Francis

William Francis Mayo, Jr. was born October 7, 1918 in Jackson , Mississippi . His parents were William Francis Mayo, Sr. and Pha Lucile Drake Mayo. Following her death, he was raised by his father and Lucille Brigance Mayo.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn Underwood Mayo, his parents and siblings, Jack and Marvin Mayo. He is survived by daughters Frances Mayo Sistrunk of Salisbury, Maryland, Susan Mayo Cooper and Patrick Brooks Cooper of New Orleans , Louisiana and Carolyn Ann Mayo of Houston , Texas . Grandchildren include William Nathan Sistrunk of Belpre , Ohio , Jennifer Lynn Sistrunk of Fredricksburg , Virginia , Brooke Pickett and David Bruser of Toronto , Canada and Kelly Lane Pickett of New Orleans , Louisiana . Great-grandchildren include Cray, Danielle and Sara Sistrunk, all of Belpre , Ohio .

Bill Mayo grew up in Jackson , Mississippi , attended Byrd High School in Shreveport and graduated from Neville High School in Monroe . He worked his way through Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge . He was called to the ministry in 1943 when he entered seminary at Southern Methodist University in Dallas , Texas . Throughout his career as a pastor in the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church , he was known for not only nurturing congregations, but also for his keen organizational and business skills. His favorite book was easily the United Methodist Hymnal from which he loved to sing with his rich baritone voice.