Thursday, March 28, 2024

Gay Birdsong Mayo, 88, artist who taught Ikebana Japanese flower arranging

WILMINGTON — Gay Birdsong Mayo, 88, died peacefully Saturday, April 27, 2019. She was born April 23, 1931, in Gadsden, Alabama, the daughter of James Claude and Berte (Woodham) Birdsong.

She grew up and attended school in Albertville, Alabama, and after graduation, attended Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in education. She taught English and history prior to marrying Robert Mayo, her husband of 64 years.

In addition to Robert, she is survived by her three children, Scott Mayo, Lynn Mayo and Mark Mayo; and four grandsons, Scott, Sean, Aaron and Ethan Mayo.

Gay was an accomplished artist and teacher of Ikebana Japanese flower arranging and demonstrated at many events in the Philadelphia and Wilmington areas. She was an avid reader, did needlepoint and admired and collected antiques and other cultural items; such as, Japanese baskets and oriental artworks.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Ikebana International, Chapter 212, 1824 Verrazzano Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405; or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Share online condolences with the family at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service.

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