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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Donald Mayo Sr.
Donald Mayo
Sr.
May 27, 1935 — Nov 5, 2022
Donald Mayo Sr.'s Obituary
His Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3: 5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths"
Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather…
Mr. Donald Mayo Sr. died peacefully in his sleep at approximately 9:35 pm at home on
November 5th, 2022, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Mayo was born in Opelousas Louisiana on
Bayou Teche, May 27th, 1935, to Mr. Emile Mayo and Arie Milburn.
He received his formal education in a school started by his Aunt Ada. After his mother's death,
he later moved to the city and attended J.S. Clark High school while living with an older brother.
At 15, he moved to Galveston, Texas and worked for the Port of Galveston. At 17, he moved to
Lake Charles, Louisiana and worked in the grocery store of his older brother. There he met the
love of his life, Georgiana Thomas. They wed in 1958 and were married for 64 years and were
parents of 3 sons.
Donald is survived by wife Georgiana, sons Gregory Joseph (Tena), Brian Walter, Donald "Putt"
Jr (Kim). Grandchildren: Shunique, Monique, Donald Maceo and adopted grandson David
Gaddis. Step granddaughters, Lisa and Megan. Great grandson, Maddox. Great granddaughter
Bale. Half-sisters: Anna Frederick of San Antonio, Texas and Emmaline Mayo of Lake Charles
and a host of nieces and nephews.
Donald was the last of 11 siblings who are deceased: Wilton, Letha, Carrie, Gilbert, Robert,
Lennis, Bertha, Laura, Lou Ambers, Leonard, and Donald Ray. All siblings migrated to Lake
Charles from Opelousas except Wilton. Eldest son Anthony Sallier and great grandson Jason
David also preceded him in death.
Though Mayo was raised Methodist while living in Lake Charles, he joined Mount Calvary
Baptist Church. While in Texas, Donald joined Sunlight Bc under Pastor R.E. Easley.
Mayo believed heavily in Black entrepreneurship. While in Lake Charles he was owner and
manager of the Creole Club. He also worked at the Chenault Air Force Base and Budweiser
Brewery. In 1963, he moved his family to Houston, Texas. He worked for Universal Life
Insurance and was the first Black manager of the 1st Jack-in-the Box on Almeda Road. Later,
he worked for Pepsi Cola and in 1965 became owner and manager of Mayo's Texaco Service
Station and Tire Shop where he later added a liquor store. He was a pillar of the Kashmere
Garden community and served as one of the few black owners of a gas station for over 50
years. It wasn't until September 2015 that Mayo decided to shut down operations when his
health began to fail. Mayo was known for many things like dressing fashionably and dancing, even if it was by
himself.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for Donald Mayo Sr.
Visitation
November
12
Saturday
Sunlight Baptist Church
9:30 - 10:45 am
Funeral Service
November
12
Saturday
Sunlight Baptist Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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