October 1, 73,

Eutice Ray Mayo, 73, passed away on Thursday evening at Wayne UNC Health Care in Goldsboro.

Ray was born in Wayne County to the late James and Madie Lane Mayo. He was a lifelong resident of the Nahunta community. An experienced businessman, Ray owned and operated North Carolina Manufacturing, Inc. and was a co-owner of M&M Industrial Supply in Goldsboro. He previously worked as a machine shop instructor at Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in Virginia and also served as a manufacturing engineer at Acme United Corporation in Fremont. His business career was enhanced as a member of the North Carolina East Alliance, Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, Wayne Community College Industrial Technologies Advisory Board, Apprenticeship NC Advisory Council, the Wayne Community College Steering Committee for Advanced Manufacturing, and senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Ray lived a life of dedication to his family and friends, and to his community. He was appointed to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners in December 2011 to serve District 1 and elected Vice-Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners in December 2012. Ray has been Chairman of the Board since December 2019. During his years of service, he was Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Social Services, member of the Wayne County Public Library Board of Advisors, Wayne County Development Alliance, Military Affairs Committee, Animal Control Board, Wayne Jetport Advisory Committee, Facilities Committee, Health Department Board, Wayne County Veterans Advisory Board, Diversified Opportunities Board, and Eastern Carolina Council.

Ray was an active member of First Baptist Church of Goldsboro. He served as a member of the Deacon Board and the Finance Committee, and was a church usher. Also, he was a teacher and faithful member of the Lola Delbridge Sunday School class.

Ray was an unusually fine man. He was adored by his family, for whom he was a source of strength, but also by countless others. All were struck by his generosity, his kind and unassuming intelligence, and his innate courteousness. He cherished his wife, was a role model to his children and was the best PePa to his granddaughter. In his free time, he enjoyed being outside in nature, whether fishing or doing yardwork, and also “piddling” in his garage.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Maxwell Center in Goldsboro followed by a service to celebrate Ray’s life at 6:30 p.m. The family will continue to greet friends Tuesday following the service at the Maxwell Center. Interment will be on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Wayne Memorial Park.

Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janice Stump Mayo; son, Steven Ray Mayo and wife Tracy; daughter, Jennifer Karen Hardesty and husband David; granddaughter, Scotlyn Rae Mayo; and sister, Janice Mayo Lane.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given in Ray’s memory to First Baptist Church, 125 S. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.