A funeral service to celebrate Colette's life will be 11 AM Friday, April 18, 2025, at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, 304 SW 134th Street, OKC, OK. 73170

Jean Colette Mayo

July 12,1932 – April 14, 2025

Jean Colette Mayo went to be with her Heavenly Father on April 14, 2025 at the age of 93. She was the daughter of Geraldine and Woods Clifton and was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 12, 1932. At the young age of three her father, Woods Clifton, passed away due to complications from pneumonia. Her mother was able to purchase a home from the proceeds from a life insurance policy Woods had and became the home of (Jean) Colette and her mother, Geraldine's parents, brother, and sister. Beginning at this early age, Colette was constantly surrounded by a loving, caring, and committed family which endured throughout her life.

While growing up in Memphis, Colette's family regularly attended church and she developed a life-long commitment to her faith in the Lord and insightful knowledge of Scripture. This foundation and commitment lasted a lifetime, as did her passion to share the Gospel of Christ with others, whether teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies, or cooking for the children and youth groups during church retreats, Colette's service to God never wavered.

It was in Memphis where Colette attended school and developed a passion for learning, education, music, and art. She also developed friendships with classmates which lasted throughout her life; another example of her magnetic personality, humor, and caring heart for others.

Colette left Memphis to attend Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas where she earned her Bachelor's degree. While in college, Colette met her husband of 71 years, Leland Mayo. Colette and Leland's life together took them to Texas while Leland served as a pilot in the United States Air Force and Colette gave birth to her two daughters Nancy Lynn and Carol Ann. After Leland's military service, Colette and Leland started a life as an oilfield family in Louisiana, Texas, and then finally settling in Oklahoma. It was during Colette's time in Texas she gave birth to her third child, Stephen

Oklahoma became the state where Colette spent the majority of her life until her death. She taught elementary school for several years in the Oklahoma Public School System, and as a testament to her character; years after retiring from teaching, students she had in class 30 years prior continued to stay in touch with her.

Colette also became a devoted fan of The University of Oklahoma football and basketball teams once in Oklahoma. On "Game Days" she would be surrounded by family members or friends, because the game was secondary to the moments in time she was able to spend with those she loved and cared for.

As Colette and Leland built their life in Oklahoma, they also built a life in Colorado where they would spend their summers and occasional winter holidays. Colette's home in Colorado was a cherished place for her. She loved the mountains, river, hummingbirds, wildlife, but most importantly she loved having her large family there to enjoy God's creation and to create eternal memories as a family. The ground in Colorado is more sacred to Colette's family now because her spirit and love will continue to be honored and cherished for many years to come.

Colette's impact on people's lives was most evident with her immediate family and church family. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were blessed to have an individual filled with laughter, wisdom, caring, and unwavering love and grace that can not be described but only observed. Colette's church family's foundation was built on the promises of God and His Salvation which she shared regularly. Friendships and relationships of decades defined who she was and what was the true character of her heart: a genuine love of others, accepting of everyone, a confidant when needed, but a true friend to everyone she met.

Her life was spent raising her children, supporting her family, immersed in her calling as a Teacher of God's Promise and having a servant's heart. The life of Jean Colette Mayo is truly a celebration of one whom always put others ahead of herself, exuded love, kindness, tenderness, the value of family and friends, and grace.

As her life is celebrated, it is also important to celebrate the lives of those which proceeded her in death. Colette was proceeded in the Heavenly journey by her father Woods Clifton, mother Geraldine Clifton, her son John Thomas Mayo.

Colette leaves behind her husband of 71 years, Leland Franklin Mayo, daughter Nancy Lynn Carr and husband Steve Carr, daughter Carol Ann Hammontree and husband Steve Hammontree, and son Steve Lewis Mayo and wife Cris Mayo.

Colette also leaves behind 6 grandchildren and their spouses, and numerous great grandchildren. The grandchildren and their families are:

Nathan and Sarah Carr, and children Areta Clark and husband Jackson, Honor, Esther, Olive, Ezra, and Ian

David and Amanda Carr, and children Ethum, Avre, Coen, Poppy, Bjorn

Joseph and Michelle Carr, and children Lydia, Jonathan, Isaiah, and Silas

Jacob and Dawnielle Carr, and children Remi, Hazel, Pepper

James and Bekah Hammontree and son Woods

Allison (Mayo) and husband Matt Williamson, and children Jane, Lewis, and Heath

In addition to immediate family, Colette leaves behind extended family members and numerous lifetime friends which are in celebration of a precious and gracious life.