Martha Mayo Harville

Martha Mayo Harville, 70, passed away suddenly at her home in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on August 8. She was the daughter of John William Harville and Katharine Manry Harville.

Besides her parents, she is predeceased by a sister, Nancy Harville Gomez. Survivors are brothers John William (“Billy”) Harville, Jr., and Edward Hunter Harville, along with nine nieces and nephews and ten great-nieces and great-nephews.

Martha was born on June 27, 1955, in Virginia. She lived her childhood in Lovingston, Virginia, and attended Nelson County Public Schools there. She received her degree in American Studies from The University of Mary Washington and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Florida State University. She worked at public libraries in Chesterfield County and the city of Fredericksburg and in Petersburg Public Schools as a school library media specialist. This led her to become school library media specialist for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), serving in base schools in Germany, Japan, and Jacksonville, North Carolina (Camp Lejeune).

Martha loved books and travelling. She shared her love of reading and learning with many students through the years. She visited many places, including Egypt, Morocco, Japan, and many European countries. She had a thirst for learning and new adventures. Martha loved to laugh, and she always attended her class reunions in Nelson County, the place where she felt most at home.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Wells-Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, at 2:00 p.m. A private dispersal of her ashes will be held at a later date.

Please consider donations in Martha's memory to the Children's Defense Fund at childrensdefense.org

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).