MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The Town of Mount Olive will honor the life and legacy of former Town Manager Jammie K. Royall with the dedication of the Town Annex in his honor on Monday, Oct. 5, at 5:30 p.m.
The dedication will recognize Royall’s years of service to his hometown and his historic role as the first African American town manager in Mount Olive’s history.
Jammie Karl Royall was born Feb. 2, 1962, in Mount Olive, the fifth of six children of Elucian Sr. and Mary Royall. He graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1980, where he served as a student bus driver.
Royall continued his education at Wayne Community College, the University of Phoenix, Fayetteville State University and North Carolina State University.
He spent most of his life in Mount Olive, although he lived for several years in Maryland, where he worked as a bus driver. After returning to North Carolina, Royall worked for several local businesses before beginning his career with the Town of Mount Olive in November 2006.
During his years with the town, Royall served in several positions, including Public Works Administrative Assistant, Public Works Director and Special Projects Director. He later served as interim town manager before working his way through the ranks to become Mount Olive’s first African American town manager.
Despite receiving opportunities to work elsewhere, Royall remained committed to Mount Olive and continued serving the community he called home.
Royall was also remembered for his willingness to help others and for frequently going beyond his official duties to assist people in need. Outside of his work with the town, he was a founding member of Salvation Deliverance and Healing Ministries, where he faithfully served as a trustee and in other roles.
Royall died on July 18, 2025. He was remembered by his longtime partner, Geraldine Miller; his son, Khary Royall; daughters, HaNeefa Best and Latisha Taylor; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Hundreds of family members, friends and coworkers gathered at the University of Mount Olive for his funeral service on July 24, 2025. Following the service, Royall was transported by horse-drawn carriage to his final resting place at Oakwood Cemetery in Mount Olive.
The Oct. 5 dedication of the Town Annex will provide another lasting tribute to a man whose career was closely tied to the community he loved and served.
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