SGT (Ret) Kenneth "Ken" M. Mayo

SGT (Ret) Kenneth “Ken” M. Mayo, 79, of Smiths Station, AL died at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, AL on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM (EST) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Jimmy Grantham officiating, Interment with U. S. Army honors will follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Ken was born June 14, 1945, in Marianna, FL son of the late Ira Brown Mayo and Susie Elizabeth Mayo. He was the sixth of nine children.

He was drafted in 1976 and served during the Vietnam War receiving the Bronze Star during his tour. Upon his return to the states, he transferred to the U. S. Army Reserve serving for six years. After his tour of active duty in 1979 he joined the U. S. Army National Guard where he served with the 900th Maintenance Company. Ken was a Fuel Electrical Repair Technician.

In 1990 he was transferred from the 900th to the 731 Maintenance Unit for deployment to the Persian Gulf War. When he returned home, he was rejoined to the 900th Maintenance Company.

In 2004 Ken was again transferred, this time to the 2101 Transportation Unit for service in the Iraqi Freedom War.

Ken retired from the military with a combined 39 years of proud service to our nation.

In his civilian job, he worked as an Electrician in the Maintenance Departments of Fieldcrest Mills, Columbus, GA, Bibb Mills, Porterdale, GA, Cusseta Plant in Columbus, GA, Phenix Textiles, Phenix City, AL and finally with Dolly Madison, Columbus, GA.

Mr. Mayo was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Susie Elizabeth Mayo; his brothers, Harold, Marion and Carlos Mayo; one sister, Lenorie Mayo.

Ken has left to cherish his memory, wife of 33 years Miriam Reynolds Mayo, Smiths Station, AL; two sons, Kenny Mayo (Anissa) and Mathew Mayo(Kristie); two daughters, Kami and Kelly; four siblings, Addiss Mayo, Bessie Collins (Bill), Wallis Mayo (Carolyn) and Lonnie Hancock; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Sandi Reynolds; loving nieces and nephews, Jamie Reynolds (Joe), Jennifer Kurilew (Matt) and Jim Reynolds (Dira); great-nieces and nephews, Rachel, Anthony, Grace, Payton, Charlotte, Mathew, Brendo and Chloe and numerous friends.

Ken was a kind and compassionate man who never had a harsh word for anyone.