Brother Mayo Towles' Obituary
Mayo Towles, 87, died on August 15, 2018 at the Evergreen Retirement Community in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mayo was the son of James and Armanda Towles. He was born in Somerville, Tennessee, on November 7, 1930.
Mayo enlisted in the Army, serving his country from 1951-1953, and was a Korean War veteran. After serving his country, Mayo married Mattie Bell Robertson on February 7, 1954.
Mayo was employed by the Sears Roebuck Company until 1968, where he was an auto mechanic. While working at Sears, he was called to preach the Gospel and studied at the Memphis School of Preaching. After earning his degree, he ministered at a small congregation in Water Valley, Mississippi, for several years, driving 160 miles round trip with his family each Sunday.
In 1968, he accepted a preaching position in Decatur, Illinois at the East North Street Church of Christ. Under his leadership the membership grew so that there was a need for a larger building. He helped oversee the construction of a new building, which became the Jasper Street Church of Christ. He ministered there until his retirement in 2013. Mayo loved the Lord, he loved people and he loved to tell stories. He preached more than 50 years in all, baptizing many souls into Christ.
Mayo was well-known in the Churches of Christ and was one of the founders of what is known as the Midwest Lectureship, held annually and attended by Church of Christ members from all over the Midwest.
Mayo leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 64 years, Mattie Bell (Robertson) Towles; sons: William (Carmella) Towles of Cincinnati, OH, and Kenneth (Barbara) Shaw, of Memphis, Tennessee; daughter, Elaine (Keith) Broadnax of Memphis, Tennessee, and children Carmen, Kayla, and Xavier; Grandchildren Andre Smith of Beverly, New Jersey; Christina Lynn Towles of Oak Park, Illinois; and Jeffrey Alan Towles of Cincinnati, Ohio; Great-grandchildren Amir Malik Samos, Xavier Amaru Calip, and Jenesis Christine Towles.
Visitations will be Friday, August 24, 6 PM – 8 PM, and Saturday, August 25, 10 AM to 11 AM, both at the Jasper Street Church of Christ in Decatur, Illinois, 950 North Jasper Street. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 25, at 11 AM at the Jasper Street Church of Christ. Interment with military rites will be at Macon County Memorial Park following the services.
Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Brother?
What’s a lesson you learned from Brother?
Share a story where Brother's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Brother you’ll never forget.
How did Brother make you smile?