Janis Ramona Mayo

Janis Ramona Mayo, 74, passed away on August 15, 2026. Born in Panama City, Florida, on February 20, 1952, she was the daughter of Ellis Mayo and Lestine Hewett Mitchell. She later made her home in Jacksonville, Florida, where her life of steady purpose, quiet courage, and enduring faith unfolded across decades.

As a teenager, Janis moved to Jacksonville and attended Robert E. Lee and Forest High School, graduating in 1970. She continued her education at FJC (Florida Junior College) and began her working life as a secretary for The Zippy Mart Co. After marrying in 1973, she went on to work as an assistant to dermatologist Dr. Harold M. Rehbein. In the mid-1980s, guided by a resilient spirit and a willingness to meet new challenges head-on, she chose a new path in public service—training at the Police Academy at FJC to become a Correctional Officer with JSO. Janis served with dedication for 32 years and retired in 2017. During her earlier years with JSO in the late 1980s and early 1990s, she also served in the Honor Guard, carrying herself with the dignity and steadfast loyalty that marked so much of her life.

Janis was a devout, lifelong Christian whose faith was expressed not only in words, but in consistent compassion and generosity. She gave freely and often—supporting local charities, churches, children’s hospitals, animals, the FOP, JFRD Cancer Research, and many other causes. Her kindness was practical and sincere: when she encountered someone facing hard times, she would find a way to help, often offering paid odd jobs around her home so that assistance came with dignity. Her honesty and warm-hearted devotion left a lasting imprint on those who knew her.

An adventurous soul at heart, Janis loved the outdoors and found joy in fishing, reading the Bible, and settling in to watch old westerns—especially when they came with a good laugh. She was also a devoted animal lover who fostered and rescued many cats over the years, and she dearly loved her three German Shepherds. Above all, she cherished being a Grandma, a role that reflected her deep capacity for love and loyalty.

Janis was preceded in death by her two brothers, Ronnie and Terrien, and by her son, William Andrew Hines. She is survived by her daughter, Jenifer Marie Joseph; her grandchild, Cody Tyler Joseph; as well as cousins and many friends.

Janis Ramona Mayo will be remembered with respect and gratitude—for her brave service, her faithful heart, her generous spirit, and the steadfast compassion she extended to family, friends, and strangers alike. She will be greatly missed.