Shirley Ann Mayo

On March 10, 2024, our beloved sister in Christ, Shirley Ann Mayo, was called to her eternal home, leaving behind a legacy of love and faithfulness. Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on October 5, 1938, to John C. and Daisy Ilene Galbraith, Shirley grew up to be a beacon of light and a pillar of strength to all who knew her. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, saw fit to gather our dear sister from Waskom, Texas, where she spent her final days surrounded by the warmth of her family's love.

Shirley's life was one of service, not only to her family but to her community as well. For 25 years, she donned the noble whites of a Licensed Practical Nurse, tending to the sick and infirm with a touch as gentle as a southern breeze and a spirit as enduring as the oak. Her hands, which once soothed fevered brows, were also skilled in the joyful pursuits of arts and crafts, creating beauty that mirrored the creativity of our Creator.

A devoted wife to the late John S. Mayo, Shirley's love story continued through their children: son, John S. Mayo and his wife, Sherri; daughter, Glenda Jane Wright and her husband, Cornelius; and daughter, Rebecca Ann Phillips and her husband, David. Though her beloved husband, parents, and brother John C. Galbraith have preceded her in passing, the seeds of their shared love blossomed in the lives of her six grandchildren: Shane, Caroline, Jason, Chad, Burgandy, and Matthew; her seventeen great-grandchildren; and her four great-great-grandchildren, ensuring that her spirit would be remembered by a fifth generation.

Shirley's faith was the cornerstone of her existence, the compass by which she navigated life's storms and the anchor that held her steadfast. As the Good Book says, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13). Indeed, Shirley's life was a testament to the greatest of these. Her love for fishing and spending time with her family were but reflections of her understanding that the joy of life is found in simple pleasures and in the company of those we hold dear.

Described by those who knew her best as creative, faith-filled, and thoughtful, Shirley's legacy is one that will be cherished and nurtured by all those who were blessed to feel the warmth of her presence. Her thoughtful actions, whether a kind word or a handcrafted gift, left an indelible mark on the hearts of many.

As we gather to bid farewell to Shirley Ann Mayo, we are comforted by the knowledge that she now rests in the arms of our Heavenly Father, free from the toils of this world. Her journey on earth may have concluded, but her story-woven intricately into the lives of those she loved-continues on.

Let us take solace in the words of the great evangelist Billy Graham: "My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world." Shirley, too, was just passing through, and now she has reached her eternal home, her final destination, where joy and peace everlasting are assured.

We will miss Shirley's radiant smile and her unwavering faith, but we rejoice in the knowledge that she has found her reward. To the family she leaves behind, we extend our deepest sympathies, knowing that your hearts are heavy with loss but also light with the love she planted there. Let us all find comfort in our memories of Shirley Ann Mayo, a true servant of God, a loving matriarch, and a friend to all.

As we commit her soul to the Almighty, let us remember that in the tapestry of life, we are but threads, but together, we create a pattern of immense beauty. Shirley's thread was golden, shining brightly, and though it now continues beyond our sight, it will forever glisten in the fabric of our lives. Rest in peace, dear Shirley, until we meet again at the feet of our Lord. Amen.

A Life Celebration® funeral service for Shirley Ann Mayo, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, at The Cammack Family Sullivan Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, March 14, 2024, in The Cammack Family Sullivan Funeral Home.