Barbara Almeda Washam Mayo

On October 18, 2021, with her husband of 66 years by her side, God peacefully ushered Barbara Almeda Mayo to her eternal home in Heaven. During her final days she spent many hours with her family, sharing her love for them and her longing to be with Jesus to "see His face."

Barbara is survived by her husband Billy Max Mayo, her children Greg Mayo (Penny) and Celeste Harrison (Ronnie). Her grandchildren: Justin Harrison (Rachael), Olivia Morgan (Chase), Mallory and Andrew Mayo, great-grandchildren: Lydia, Wesley, and Benjamin Harrison, Barrett and Easton Morgan.

Barbara was born in Bemis, Tennessee on April 8, 1931, to the late Dora and Troy Washam. As a toddler, she exhibited a love of piano music. She recently wrote: "My first piano was the windowsill. When I was 7, Mother bought me a real piano." When Barbara began to pick out bits and pieces of songs without help, her mother arranged for lessons. Barbara recalled recently: "I did not take lessons long because I became discouraged. The teachers wanted me to play songs as they appeared on the music sheets. I learned to read music, but during my class, I would play the songs in different keys that I liked better and add notes here and there to make it my own; so, the teacher realized I was playing by ear. I had two other teachers, but none wanted me to do that. So, I quit."

At Bemis Elementary Barbara was asked to play the piano in the cafeteria while the students were eating. At 12 she gave her heart to Jesus at Herron Chapel (now First Baptist Bemis). After her baptism she was surprised to be asked to play the piano for services. Desiring to use the talent God had given her, she accepted this adult responsibility and continued as church pianist there for 25 years.

After graduating from Union University, Barbara began teaching first grade at J. B. Young Elementary. In June of 1955 she married Billy, her college sweetheart. They shared common interests-- teaching and a love for music. With her encouragement, Billy returned to Union and took music and voice. Soon afterward, Barbara gave up teaching to devote herself to family and ministry. Thus began their partnership as a church music team.

Through the following years God called them to serve at Pinson Baptist Church, Malesus Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, and lastly, Deanburg Baptist Church where they have been serving for the past 24 years. In all, Barbara's years of church ministry spanned almost 80 years.

In addition, Barbara played for weddings, funerals, and civic events, such as Jackson's annual "Woman of the Year." Her wide experience brought other opportunities to play at Christian venues. In 1953, the evangelist Eddie Martin held a tent revival in Jackson, and Barbara was asked to play. The services lasted 3 weeks, and she played every night for crowds in excess of 7,000 people. The last service was the largest revival gathering in Jackson history. She continued to play at tent revivals in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. She played for crusades at Oman Arena, including those by the famous "Bourbon Street Preacher" and well-known preacher and Baptist leader Adrian Rogers. She once said: "Playing before large crowds has never bothered me because I am not focused on them; I am playing for the Lord." People who have heard her play say that when she closed her eyes while playing, as she often did, it was evident she was in her own special place-- just praising and worshipping her Lord.

Besides music, Barbara enjoyed reading and attended the Bemis Book Club for years. She relished vacations with her family at Daytona Beach. She loved working as the first director of the Baptist Student Union at Jackson State Community College. Having been an only child, she enjoyed the large Mayo family holiday gatherings where no one could get enough of her sweet potato casserole or the family sing-alongs with her at the piano.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 22nd, at Smith Funeral Home South with visitation beginning at 12 noon and the service at 2 pm. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens. Reverend Jerry Woods will officiate.

Pallbearers are: Ronnie Harrison, Justin Harrison, Chase Morgan, Andrew Mayo, Roy Jones, and Art Knipper.

The family wishes to thank the many friends and medical caretakers for their acts of kindness during Barbara's illness. Those wishing to send memorials may do so with a gift to the Deanburg Baptist Church Building Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GASmithandSonsFuneralHome.com for the Mayo family.