Mavis Laverne Wilson was born to Roy Everett Wilson and Asolee Mildred Wilson (Williams) on August 19,1940, at home in Kinta, OK. The family moved to Hanford, CA during the great depression. After living in Hanford briefly, they settled in Armona, CA. Mavis attended Hanford High School where she met her high school sweetheart, George Robert Mayo. They graduated together in 1958. George and Mavis married on June 13, 1959, in Armona, Kings County, CA at The First Missionary Baptist Church. Their wedding song was I Love you Truly. They became members of The First Baptist Church in Hanford over 50 years ago.
Mavis received her A.S. degree in 1983 from the College of the Sequoias. She worked at The Hanford Sentinel in the office for a year in her early married life. Then she worked at the Kings County Health Department and later for Dr. JoAnn (Hein) Duffy. Dr. Hein delivered all three of Mavis and George’s children. Mavis became a medical assistant and in 1968 was proud to become the President of the Kings County Medical Assistant Association. Mavis joined Dr. Ted Kimball in Pathology for several years. Most of her career was spent there working for Dr. Neil Sorensen, Dr. Russell Brookshire, Dr. Eric Sorensen, and several others at Hanford Medical Group including P.A.’s Randy Pence and Jerry Kirk. Eventually, Adventist Health at Hanford’s Community Hospital took over as her employer. Mavis worked in other departments and was given a wonderful retirement party. She returned to work to fill in for an employee at Rural Health Department and ended up staying for several years, under Director Derrick Gruen in Administration. Dr. Chatrath was also among her cherished friends.
Her lifelong best friends include Sherry Kennedy, Betty Taylor and Judy Neil. Dr. JoAnn Hein, Sharon Farr and Maureen Larkin started as co-workers but became best friends. Most of her cherished friendships came from Hanford Soroptimist Club members. Mavis was a member of Soroptimist International of Hanford, CA. She joined in 1990 and served as secretary, Vice President, and President. Her community service included Festival of Trees and Miss Kings County Pageant. She enjoyed helping students, women and fundraising.
She enjoyed going to local baseball games and loved to read. In her younger years she liked bowling and was in a bowling league. She enjoyed going to the coast, Shaver Lake and Wishon in her RV or going to Las Vegas. She enjoyed country rides to Three Rivers and going to The White Horse Inn for dinner. She loved to travel with family and friends.
Mavis passed away on May 28, 2024 in Hanford, CA and was preceded in death by her husband, George Robert Mayo, of Hanford, CA, her parents, Roy Everett Wilson and Asolee Mildred Williams Wilson, of Armona, CA, brothers, LaRoy Wilson and Roland Wilson, bro-in-law, Wayne Franks (all of Hanford), bro-in-laws, Chuck Murch, Randy Ward, sis-in-law, Melissa Ward (all of Visalia) and two nephews.
Mavis is survived by her children, David Mayo, of Hanford, CA, Stephanie Pehrson (Rohn), DFW, TX and Dr. Paul Mayo (Gina), of Visalia, CA, grandchildren; Jonathan Pehrson, Katelyn Graham (Ryan), Karalyn Pehrson, Jennifer Pehrson, Jaxson Mayo and Delaney (Alexander) Cayzer. Great grandchildren; Sydney, Summer, Scott and Skye Martin, Wyatt Cihi and Aurelia Cayzer. Her sister, Winona Franks, sis-in-laws, Freda Wilson, of Hanford, Barbara Murch, of Visalia and Corinne Mayo, of Roseville, CA and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be held on Friday, July 12,2024 at 10:00 am at The First Baptist Church, 9125 13 ½ Ave., Hanford, CA. A private niche service will be held for family members at the Grangeville Cemetery in Hanford, CA. Arrangements were made through People’s Funeral Chapel, Hanford, CA.
Mavis Mayo - Funeral - YouTube
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