Dorothy Sue Mayo

Dorothy Sue Mayo, 95, of Albany, GA died Monday, July 10, 2023 at Pruitt Palmyra Health Care. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 10:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home, 3206 Gillionville Road. There will be no formal visitation. Dr. Butch Knight will officiate.

Miss Mayo was born May 26, 1928 to the late John William and Verna Reynolds Mayo of Worth County. She was a 1945 graduate of Sylvester High School. She graduated from Andrew College, Cuthbert, GA in 1947 with a Literary Diploma and in 1952, graduated from the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville. She earned her Master’s degree from the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tennessee in 1958.

Sue’s chosen profession was teaching. She was employed with the Dougherty County School System for most of her career. She loved children and taught second grade at Mulberry Elementary, Highland Elementary and later Magnolia Elementary. Sue was selected as a Dougherty County Teacher of the Year during that time. As late as 2021, some of her second-grade students from the early 1960s shared on social media what a difference Ms. Mayo had made in their lives. Comments included: She was one of the sweetest, most dedicated teachers I have ever met; I loved Miss Mayo! She was my best teacher ever; and Miss Mayo will always have a special place in my heart. Sue was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority for Educators, Eta Chapter for many years. In 2016, she was recognized for 60 years of membership.

It is not known when Sue made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. It is known that she loved the Lord and put her faith and trust in Christ early on. Sue was rebaptized at First Baptist Albany in 1983 where she was an active member until her health prevented her from participating.  She loved music. Sue was a member and soloist in the church choir. She was an active member of the Dorcas-Ruth Sunday School class and Women’s Missionary Union and taught Vacation Bible School.

Sue was also very involved in community activities. She was a member and soloist in the Albany Chorus and the College-Community Chorus of the then Albany Junior College. She was recognized for over 1600 hours of service as a Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital volunteer. In 2004, she was awarded the Dottie Stricker Memorial Award for her hard work and dedication to the humanitarian work of the American Red Cross Southwest Georgia Chapter.

Survivors include her nieces, Brenda Etheridge of Hollywood, FL and Sonja Mayo of Fort Lauderdale, FL and nephews Dennis Mayo of Miami, FL and Danny Mayo, St. Augustine, FL as well as a number of cousins. Other survivors are the many friends and members in her church family who have faithfully assisted and cared for her for many years.  In addition to her parents, Miss Mayo was preceded in death by her brother William James Mayo and niece Linda Long.

To honor Miss Mayo’s life and love of the Lord, those desiring may make donations to First Baptist Church Albany, 145 Oakland Parkway, Leesburg, GA 31763.