He retired in 1989 after a successful, 45 year career in the food industry. One of his great loves was playing Santa Claus for 13 years at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he brought much joy to children and adults alike. Mr. May became a resident of Covington in 1995 and in 1996, he and his wife joined the Solid Rock Baptist Church family, where he was very active in the church food bank program for a number of years.

Surviving are wife of 64 years Billie May of Covington; daughters Carolyn Haymons of Covington and Georgia St. Thomas of Jackson; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Marian May of Ft. Smith, Ark.; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law John Haymons, Matthew and Nikki Haymons, all of Covington, Mark Haney and Joel and Tabitha Hamilton of Ft. Smith, Christopher St. Thomas of Jackson; great-grandchildren Harrison and Mattie Belle Haymons of Covington; brother-in-law Don Moore of Burbank, Calif.; sisters-in-law Sally May of Houston, Texas, Jean Moore of Garland, Texas; aunt Doris Carroll of Siloam Springs, Ark.; numerous nieces, nephews and many good friends.

Funeral services for Mr. May will be held today, March 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Solid Rock Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Franklin officiating and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Solid Rock Baptist Church Building Fund, 8111 Brown Bridge Road, Covington, 30014.