Crystal H. Mayo

Crystal Mayo is an audacious storyteller from the Louisiana bayou. Raised in the South, her love for storytelling began in her mama’s beauty shop, reminiscent of Steel Magnolias. Her roots run deep in Southwest Louisiana and they were teased, permed, and bleached from an early age. Sitting in her mom’s yellow salon chairs, Crystal watched as regulars from their small Southern town gathered each week. The beauty shop wasn’t just a place for hair—it was where faith took root, where stories flowed like sweet tea, and where laughter hung in the air as thick as hairspray. She cherished her childhood, watching her mother not only style hair but also pray with those going through hard times. At 38, Crystal would lean on those deep-seated roots of faith, trusting God to carry her through one of the hardest seasons of her life. A massive stroke shut down her world, much like a quarantine, but her “holy time-out” lasted three years. The stroke affected both sides of her brain, impacting her vision, mobility, reading, memory, multitasking, and sensitivity to sound. But by the grace of God, the unwavering love of her husband, Doug, and the power of prayer, physical therapy, and community support, she fought her way back—partially blind at first, but with Crystal clear vision today. Now, as a children’s author and storyteller for the soul, Crystal shares stories of hope and faith, always sprinkled with a little Southern charm. With over a decade of experience in children’s ministry, she naturally conveyed in her book, Lucy’s Home, how prayer and love transformed her family. Her resilience and inspiring story have been featured in Anchor My Soul by Andrea Bourgeois, the American Press, and Sagemont Life Magazine. She also speaks at women’s ministry events like Free to Be Real, encouraging others with her testimony. Known as Doug’s wife and mama to two teenagers and one young adult, Crystal tackles life’s challenges with humor and grace—facing deadlines, dishes, and a hungry dog just like the rest of us.