Chowan Mayo

Chowan Mayo, Sr., was born on May 8, 1960, to William and Linda Mayo in Fort Dix, NJ. He died peacefully at home in Beeville, TX, on June 9, 2025, at the age of 65, with family by his side.

Chowan was raised in Suffolk, VA, and was named after the nearby Chowan County, NC, where his father had grown up on a Native American reservation. As a teenager, Chowan loved playing basketball. He graduated from John F. Kenedy High School in 1979. One of his early jobs was high steel work, which took him on the road to Texas, where he met and fell in love with Michelle Renee Johnson. They married on September 18, 1982. Just before their first child, Deja, was born, they bought their home in Beeville, where they later welcomed their second child, Chowan Mayo II (CJ). Chowan and Renee enjoyed 42 years of marriage there, raising their children and creating precious memories with family and friends.

Over the years, Chowan earned a bachelor’s degree and held various jobs, including roofer, carpet cleaner and installer, high school criminal justice teacher, referee for basketball, football, and volleyball, juvenile probation instructor, ISS teacher, and commercial cleaner. He had a natural ability to connect with young people, always willing to give them a listening ear, which made him a beloved teacher during his time at A.C. Jones High School. His criminal justice team competed in state level events, and many of his students went on to careers in criminal justice. After being elected by acclimation, he also served as president of the Texas Association of Sports Officials.

But the work Chowan loved the most was his ministry as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was baptized at the age of 12 on October 8, 1972, and served as a ministerial servant, elder, and regular pioneer at various times. He expended himself in extra activities like public speaking to large crowds, disaster relief, teaching special schools like the Pioneer Service School, directing Bible dramas for large crowds, and volunteer construction work, both locally and in Warwick, NY. He loved teaching others about his hope of living forever in paradise earth, especially when he shared in this activity with family and friends.

Chowan will be fondly remembered for his entertaining and perceptive personality. He was always ready to pick up a basketball, grab a karaoke mic, star in a skit for a party, or hit the dance floor, but at the same time, he could thoughtfully observe others in the background with an unforgettable little smile and twinkle in his eye.

Chowan is survived by his devoted wife, Renee, who lovingly cared for him during his illness; his beloved children, Deja (Ryan) Fields and Chowan (Jessica) Mayo II; his sisters, Gayla Mayo Thomas and Tammy (Quincy) Mayo-Coston; his brother, Tony Arline; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Linda Mayo; and his brothers, Timmy Mayo and William “Billy” Mayo.

The family sincerely thanks New Century Hospice, especially Delicia, Brittany, Sara, Julie, Ivana, and Melissa for their extraordinary care.

A memorial service will be held at the Beeville Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. For information on how to stream the program live on Zoom, please contact CJ Mayo at 361-646-8428.