John Mayfield

1940 - 2025

John Mayfield

October 20, 1940 - August 7, 2025

John Mayfield lived life with an authentic spirit and infectious enthusiasm that drew people to him wherever he went. Whether he was calling ducks at dawn, bush-hogging his beloved Dinwiddie property, or turning any experience into an unforgettable story, John had a gift for making ordinary moments extraordinary.

John graduated from Freeman High School in 1958 and went on to get a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech. He was a successful sales professional and business owner in the print and direct mail industry, John especially cherished his work-family at Mailing Services, Inc. But it was his ability to connect with people from all walks of life that truly set him apart. John had an engaging personality and was unusually well-liked by everyone he met.

John's adventurous spirit showed early - as a teenager, he made a memorable (if unsuccessful) attempt to jump Tuckahoe Creek in a '49 Plymouth. Later, he would enlist friends to help him dismantle a log cabin in just two days, relocate it, and rebuild it over two years, laying every brick of the chimney himself. He was a master duck and turkey caller, though he always pointed out that it didn't matter what he got hunting-he just loved being out there.

His passions were simple but profound: cultivating wildflowers and vegetables in his garden, reading biographies and Progressive Farmer magazine, riding his ATV through the countryside, and creating magical family vacations with his grandchildren who affectionately called him "Bubs" or "Buff". John married his high school sweetheart Becky at St. Matthew's Church, where they continued to worship and enjoy fellowship with many dear friends throughout their marriage.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Becky; his daughter, Carty Hebert and son, Jack Mayfield and their spouses, Jim Hebert and Sarah Thompson Mayfield; sister, Charlotte Farrar and sister-in-law, Betty Abernathy; and six grandchildren, Thomas, Clayton, Tucker, Jackson, Henley and Alston.

Whether John was at Skillet Hill, in Mathews, or in Dinwiddie, sharing a newsprint-covered table loaded with crabs, a plate of sweetbreads at Mamma Zu, perfectly grilled ribs, sitting in a hunting blind or just being with his family…..when everything was just as it should be, John would smile and say, "It's a beautiful thing!"

And indeed it is.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.