Hiram Johnson Mayo Sr.

Mr. Mayo was born in Mesic, NC on July 11, 1924. He attended public school in Pamlico County and graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelors and a Master’s Degree in Education. Mr. Mayo attended Columbia University in New York where he worked on his Doctorate Degree in Education Administration. Mr. Mayo was an educator all of his working career.Mr. Mayo worked at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, NC for 3 years. He then became principal at Bridges Elementary School in Tarboro, NC from 1952-1959. Mr. Mayo then moved to Edenton, NC where he was Superintendent of Edenton Schools for 1959-1967. He placed the highest emphasis on education and sports, especially football. In 1967, he and his family moved to New Bern, NC, where he became Superintendent of Craven County Schools. Mr. Mayo had all Craven County Schools accredited and 4 new schools built while he was superintendent. He retired in 1982 when the city and county school systems merged. He was a 32 Degree Mason and a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Mr. Mayo served in WWII in the US Navy.

Mr. Mayo is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Patricia Lancaster Bordeaux Mayo. They enjoyed many things together, including playing duplicate bridge, he was the Life Master – traveling, hunting, fishing, bird watching, especially Wood Ducks, which they raised babies in the duck boxes in their yard on Brice’s Creek. They were partners, planting flowers and bulbs to enjoy.

His is survived by his son, Hiram J. Mayo, Jr. (Janis) of New Bern, daughter, Rita Mayo Denton (Tom) of New Bern, NC.

He is survived by his Grandchildren, Catherine Brooke Mayo (John Thomas Wright) of Powells Point, NC, Allison Mayo Legg (William Joshua Legg) of New Bern, NC, Hiram Johnson Mayo, III, of Atlanta, GA, Brian Blake Nobles, of Boone, NC, Rudolph Alexander Ashton, IV, (Stephanie) of Greensboro, NC and Dr. Erin Elizabeth Salinas (Nate) of Portland, OR, Josh Denton (Jamie) of Serverna Park, MD and Whitney Denton of Wilimington, NC.

He is survived by his Great-Grandchildren Poppy Day Wright and Peaches Dupree Wright of Powells Point, NC, Noah Joshua Legg and Josslyn Elizabeth Legg of New Bern, NC, Guy Ashton and Kasen Ashton of Greensboro, NC, Miah Salinas and Stuart Salinas of Portland, OR, Georgia and Holland Denton of Serverna Park, MD and Veda Gomez, Wilimington, NC.

Step children Robert “Bob” Bordeaux and Richard Keith Bordeaux (Debi) both from Pollocksville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations be made to Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570 or a charity of your choice.

We would like to thank the staff and volunteers at the Crystal Coast Hospice House.

His graveside service will be conducted by Dr. Tom Denton and Dr. Jerry Harper at Greenleaf Memorial Park on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 1:00 PM.

Arrangements entrusted to Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the Mayo Family at www.cottenfuneral.com.