Richard Lee Mayo of Montross, VA, peacefully departed this life on Monday, December 12, 2022. Born on April 20, 1940, to the late Frank Lee and Mary Julia Mayo, he was the third of six children. He attended public schools in Washington, DC, and graduated from Phelphs Voca­tional High School in 1958. He accepted Christ at an early age and attended St. Phillips Baptist Church in Washington, DC.

In 1957, Richard met the love of his life, Vondell Thomas, and they were married in 1960. From that union, which would span 62 years, they had three children, Bruce, Stephanie, and Tara.

Richard had a strong work ethic and began his career path at the age of 17, working as a clerk at Safeway Stores, Inc. He served there for 11 years before leaving to manage his own store, located in one of worst crime areas of the city. He decided to leave, not knowing what he would do next to support his family. A favorite aunt encouraged him to apply for a position in the federal government, which he pursued after nearly three years at Thompson's Dairy. Soon after, he was hired by the National War College in Washington, DC, and he later entered the Government Printing Office's (GPO) apprentice program for pressmen. After 25 years of service, he retired from GPO in 1995 as a Head Web Pressman and the supervisor of his section.

When Richard retired from government service, he and his wife left Fort Washington, MD, and relocated to Montross, VA. Soon, they joined Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), where they were active members. Richard faithfully served on the usher board until his health failed.

Richard, the proverbial jack-of-all-trades with an entrepreneurial spirit for earning extra money to support his family, performed various side jobs. But it wasn't long before he started a seafood business with his favorite uncle, Luke, whom he called his brother. Serving customers in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, the seafood business thrived, and Richard became affectionately known to his customers as "The Fish Man." He continued the seafood business during his retirement years until a few years ago.

Richard loved life, people, being busy 24/7, and helping in whatever way needed. He was a mainstay in his children's and grandchildren's lives — there for them whenever they called, never refusing them. When all the grandsons and nephews visited during the summer, he loved doing fun things with them.

Predeceased by his eldest siblings, Shirley Atwell Bussie and Frank Lenwood Mayo, Richard is survived by his wife, Vondell; one son, Bruce Mayo (Penny); two daughters, Stephanie Thomas (John) and Tara Mayo; two brothers, Larry Mayo (Veronica) and Anthony Mayo (Blanche); one sister, Wanda Harris (James); four grandsons, Joshua Mayo (Francheska), Bryan Mayo (Dey­sha), Richard Mayo (Marian), and Marcus Mayo; two great-granddaughters, Alina and Naomi Mayo; the Thomas grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Gonsalves and Sherril Thomas; many nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and friends.

A visitation will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church Old Site, 801 Sofia Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22406, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. The interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association and/or the National Kidney Foundation .