Romeo Belen Mayo, 69, of Columbia, died Monday, September 7, 2015. Born in Naguilian-La Union, Philippines, on February 16, 1946, he was the son of Crispina Belen Mayo and the late Tomas Mejia Mayo. He joined the US Navy in 1966 and served his country faithfully for 31 years. His ships and duty stations included the USS Proteus, USS Nereus, USS Providence, FTG Pearl Harbor, COMTRAPAC San Diego, USS Tuscaloosa, NRD Columbia, USS Taylor, AIRLANT Norfolk, Carrier Group Six, USS America, Naval Supply Center Charleston, and Naval Reserve Center Columbia. Following retirement in 1997, he worked in law enforcement for 16 years; 5 years as a Richland County Sheriff's Deputy and 11 years as a Police Officer and Dispatcher for William Jennings Dorn VA Medical Center. Mr. Mayo was a born again Christian and member of Capital City Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Joanna Charline Mayo; children, Leonardo Berba of San Diego, CA, Mercedes Bonds (Mike) and Susan Economes (Rick), both of Columbia, Lourdes Casas (Sal) of El Paso, TX, Romeo Mayo II of Charleston, SC, Philip Mayo (Angie), Laura Mayo (Chuck) and Charline Mayo, all of Columbia; brother, Alfredo Belen; and sister, Virginia Domondon, both of Baguio City, Philippines; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend special gratitude to Salome Kitundu and Lutheran Hospice nurses, Melinda, Becky and Lisa, for the tender care and compassion they showed while providing aide and attendance to Mr. Mayo. Their loving kindness will forever be remembered.

The funeral service for Mr. Mayo will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, September 11th, at Capital City Baptist Church, with Pastor Paul Monroe officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Memorials may be made to Capital City Baptist Church, Youth Missions, 2243 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC 29223.