Mr. Porter Claxton Mayo Sr.

Mayo, Porter Claxton Sr. – age 95, went to be with the Lord and his loving wife of 71 years, Josephine, on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Claxton spent his summers with his family exploring the Smokey Mountains from his family’s cabin in Elkmont. He and his family are longtime residents of Knoxville. Claxton attended the University of Tennessee and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was drafted into the Army while in college to serve during World War II. He entered the service as an enlisted man and rose to the rank of Officer. After the war, he returned to Knoxville to work with his brother Dan in the family business, D.R. Mayo Seed Company/Mayo Garden Centers. The business was started in 1878 on Gay Street across from where the Tennessee Theater is today, and is Knoxville’s oldest business still in operation. Claxton was a member of Second Presbyterian Church for over 70 years, where he served as an Elder. He was a past president of the Southern Seedmans Association, member of the Rotary Club and Civitan Club, and Cherokee Country Club. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his children – Claxton Mayo, Jr. and wife Wallace, Josephine “Cissy” Mayo, Steve Mayo and wife Debra; grandchildren – Bryan Mayo and wife Ronda, Elizabeth Cox and husband Thad, Elise (Lisa) Green Kern of Miami, FL, Laura Green, Michael Schaffer and wife Danielle, Kelli Kalies King, Amanda Mayo and partner Nick Jensen, and Taylor Mayo; great-grandchildren – Blake and Bethany Mayo, Matt and Chris Cox, Sarah and Jimmy Kern, Carter Green, Jon and Grant Schaffer, Braxton Clark, Stevie Laurel Mayo-Jensen, Kelsey Philips, Kaylee and Mary Faith Hazelwood. Special friends – Argyle Claxton, Kathy Kennedy, Sandi Madden, Ruth Quinto, and Terry Chumley. Family and friends will gather Friday November 28th at 3:00pm at Highland Memorial Cemetery for a Graveside service. Memorial service to follow at Second Presbyterian Church at 4:00pm, with receiving of friends immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Honor Air Knoxville (for U.S. Veterans) – 7536 Taggart Lane, Knoxville TN 37983 (email jrector@honorairknoxville.com) or Grace Presbyterian Church Knoxville, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939 (a new church plant with former Second Presbyterian Church Pastor Bryan Wilson) or KARM (Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries – P.O. Box 3310, Knoxville, TN 37927) Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Mr. Porter Claxton Mayo Sr.

November 25, 2014