Mary Ruth May

Mrs. Mary Ruth May, age 83, of 531 Pulpwood Rd., Jonesville, widow of CWO2, USN (Ret.) Marion Francis May, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

Mrs. May was born in Union Co., October 6, 1940, a daughter of the late Richard Dewey Murphy and Crystal Lee Wilburn Murphy. She was a 1958 graduate of Union High School. She was married and was a homemaker for 20 years. After the passing of her husband, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Education from USC-Upstate in 1986.  She was a retired school teacher having taught at Lockhart Elementary for 25 years. Mrs. May was a member of Gilead Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and formerly served as choir director.

Surviving are two daughters, Crystal R. May of the home, and Cathy Ward and husband Robert of Jonesville; two sons, Lt.Col. USAF (Ret.) Daniel May and wife Cynthia of Lugoff, and Bryan May and wife Crystal of Greer; two sisters, Rachel Hoornstra of Seattle, WA, and Linda Wilbanks and husband Frankie of Newberry and a brother, RD Murphy and wife Ann of Cross Keys. She is also survived by grandchildren, Matthew May and wife Amanda, Kelly May LaGrande and husband Jason, Luke May, Hannah May Foy and husband Zach and Kayla Ward, and four great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson, Bryson Ward, a sister, Frances Offer and a brother, David Murphy.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Gilead Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Dr. Eddie Saxon and Rev. Daniel Kuhr. Visitation will be held Saturday from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the church prior to the services. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Matthew May, Luke May, Zach Foy, Ethan Turner, Adam Wilbanks and Shawn Murphy.

Memorials may be made to the Gilead Baptist Church Music Ministry, PO Box 38, Jonesville, SC 29353.

The family will be at the home, 531 Pulpwood Yard Rd., Jonesville.