Cleo Ann Gillund Mayfield, 84, resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Born March 26, 1939 as a native of Preston, Minnesota, Cleo proudly claimed her Lutheran Scandinavian heritage. As the daughter of the late Talmer Gillund and Signe Vang Gillund she grew up in a loving family of six. Her father passed on his musical talents, and she fondly remembered singing her first solo in church at age four (in Norwegian).
After attending St. Olaf College in Minnesota, she moved to Charleston, WV where she met George R. Mayfield, a young pathologist, at a choir rehearsal (of course). They married in June 1960 and their life of music, travel and outdoor adventures began. When they moved to Columbia they chose the First Presbyterian Church for its wonderful choir.
Music carried Cleo joyfully through her life. She mastered many instruments from piano, clarinet, saxophone and french horn in her high school band that she led as drum major too. Ultimately her best instrument, her beautiful voice, remained faithful to her up until a few short weeks ago in the choir at First Pres. Sharing that gift for solos and choral singing remained her greatest passion and allowed her to express her Glory and faithfulness to God.
Although Cleo had a full time job as wife to George and mother of three lively children, she still found time to share her time with many community organizations such as the Maury County Creative Arts Guild, MC Hospital Auxiliary, the James K. Polk Memorial Association, the Volunteer Garden Club, the Columbia Garden Club, MC Community Band, Tennessee Ornithological Society, and in recent years, the Student’s Club.
As a faithful wife, Cleo enjoyed and learned to do most everything George introduced her to: bird watching, skiing, backpacking, tennis, camping and traveling Europe and beyond. As a strong Christian woman, she remained a very active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon and Elder, director of the adult choir for twenty years, and the children’s choir before that.
Another passion for Cleo was community theater. She was cast in several musicals, and some still remember her in one of her favorite roles, Ado Annie in Oklahoma.
Her mother taught her to love food and cooking as she demonstrated in feeding many friends and family at home, church and even through catering. When her children were in high school, she and a friend opened a kitchen store, The Creative Cook. Her active life changed, however, after George had a serious accident. Cleo stepped in to take over his roles as a bird bander, choir director, and even private airplane pilot while caring for him.
Music, friends, family and her church life upheld her through many years caring for George. Her family is grateful for all the care she received from friends in Columbia, especially in the last several years. A wonderful mother, grandmother, caregiver, and friend she will be missed by all.
Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Mayfield (Kristopher) Pearson of Hollister, California; sons, George R. “Rad” (Kelli) Mayfield, III of Orono, Maine; Mark Hasslock Mayfield (Carolyn Ferguson) of Manhattan, Kansas; brother, Daniel (Carol) Gillund of Newark, Delaware; sister, Arla Sullivan of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Andrew Pearson of Columbia; Julia Pearson of Asheville, North Carolina; Lillie Mayfield of Gainesville, Florida; Auralee Mayfield of New York, New York; Clara Ferguson Mayfield of Manhattan, Kansas; Helen Ferguson Mayfield of Manhattan, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Shirley Kroona, and brothers, Arden Gillund, and Dean Gillund.
Honorary pallbearers include, Jean Mac Ball, Dr. Cummins Couch, Bitty Crozier, Wilmoth Foreman, Mollie Johnson, Phyllis Herrmann, Jane Moore, Larry Nickell, Beth Patton, Campbell Ridley, Karen Stephens, and Elizabeth Woodson.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, June 17th at 2:30 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Sarah Bird Kneff officiating. Friends are invited to family visitation on Friday, June 16th from 5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Private family burial will be held at St. John Churchyard.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 801 South High Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
For more obituaries visit https://maurycountysource.com/obituaries/
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