David Whitley Mayo

David Whitley Mayo, 82, of Wrightsville Beach passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro.

A graveside service will be held Monday, March 29, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Fremont.  The family will receive friends following the service.  All in attendance, are asked to please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

David Mayo was born in Wayne County, North Carolina in 1939 to the late George Edward Mayo Jr. and Susie Mae Whitley Mayo. He grew up in Fremont and graduated from Fremont High School in 1958. He graduated from East Carolina University in 1962 with a BA in Health and Physical Education. He also swam on the ECU swim team. He received his MA from the University of Alabama.

David taught a year of Physical Education in Goldsboro before moving to London where he began his career for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). David taught PE for service member children on military bases throughout the world including England, Turkey, Germany, Philippians, and Japan.

David retired from teaching in 1992 and moved to Wrightsville Beach, NC where he enjoyed biking, swimming, and fishing. An avid biker, David participated in numerous distance rides including from the mountains to the coast of NC a dozen times. In 2009 at age 70, David rode his bicycle solo from San Diego, CA to Wrightsville Beach (3553 miles). At age 75 David rode down the west coast of the US from Vancouver, BC Canada to the Mexican Border.

When not on his bike, David enjoyed spending time with his nephews and nieces, traveling, and watching high school and UNCW sporting events.

He is survived by one sister, Mary Sue Beamon and husband, Dr. Kenneth Dwain Beamon of Tarboro; a sister-in-law, Becky Mayo of Goldsboro; nieces, Margaret-Ann Mayo, Susie Beamon Magill and Dr. Virginia Mayo Buckman and nephews, Ken Beamon, Anthony Beamon and George Mayo IV.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Mayo was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. George Mayo III.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Kidney Fund at https://www.kidneyfund.org/

The family is in the care of Shackleford-Howell Funeral Home, 102 North Pine Street in Fremont.

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