Deborah Jean Mayo

Deborah Jean Mayo, 66, of Hartford, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Deborah was born in Hartford, daughter of the late Herman Mayo and Annie Dickens-Mayo, and graduated from Weaver High School. She was employed as a Teacher's Aide for Sands Elementary School, retiring after many years of service.

Deborah was a true democrat and enjoyed working at the polls every year and supporting her candidates. She was dedicated to the Lord and was a devoted and faithful member of New Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Hartford.

Deborah was a loving mother, sister, aunt, and dear friend. She will fondly be remembered as a kind and compassionate woman who was the matriarch of her family and loved them more than anything. Deborah's world revolved around her

children and she taught them the value of faith, family, respect, discipline, and how to treat people the way you would want to be treated. She enjoyed celebrating all their accomplishments and supported their dreams. Deborah had a generous

nature and would give you the shirt off her back or the last dollar in her pocket if you needed it. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a smile that would light up a room.

Deborah loved fashion and was known for her amazing outfits with her matching accessories and a great pair of shoes. She was a wonderful cook, and everyone loved her Mac & Cheese and, especially, her stuffing at holiday dinners. Deborah

also loved listening to music, going to concerts, playing cards at her sister Sabra's house on Clark Street, and traveling with her daughter and traveling partner, Ebony, to Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, to name a

few. One of her proudest moments was seeing her son graduate from the University of Mount Olive in 2023.

Deborah leaves a legacy of beautiful memories that will live in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her.

Deborah leaves to celebrate her life, her children, Ebony Mayo of Hartford and Darrell E. Roberts, Jr. of Dudley, NC; her siblings, Sheila Mayo-Brown, Sabra Mayo, April Mayo, Christopher Mayo, and Kevin Mayo; special niece, Aaliyah

Mayo; her best friends, Toni A. Meyers, Nancy Collier, and Penny Burns; First Lady Gwendolyn Powell, who was like a second mother to her; father of Darrell and like a father to Ebony, Darrell E. Roberts, Sr., dear friend, Candy Law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Phyllis Downer, Valencia Mayo, and Herman Mayo, Jr.

Her family would like to extend a very special thank you to her healthcare aides, Lakeisha Beaufort and Latasha McCray for the care, kindess, and compassion given to Ms. Deborah and her family in their time of need.

Her family will receive friends on Thursday, January 29, 10-11 a.m., with a Celebration of Life, 11 a.m., at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 161 Nelson St., Hartford.

Burial will be private.