Walter C. May

Walter C. May, age 100 of Rison, died on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. He was born September 25, 1909 at the family farm in the Toledo community to Robert J. May and Eudora Varnell May.

Mr. May graduated from Rison High School in 1927. He was married to Earline Sims May for 54 years until her death in 1994. He was a lifelong member and supporter of the Rison United Methodist Church where he served over the years in many roles including Sunday School Teacher and Chairman of the Official Board. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1927-1933 and the U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1941-1950. He was a combat veteran of WWII and a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. During the 1930s he played Semi-Pro AAA Baseball for teams in Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco. After returning from WWII, he was a businessman, farmer, and timberman in Greenville, Mississippi and in Rison. In addition to his parents and wife, Earline May, he was preceded in death by a son, Walter C. May, Jr., and a brother, Robert O. May of Greenville, Mississippi.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Michele Mai May of Lewisville, North Carolina; a brother James R. May of Jackson, Mississippi; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family and personal friends. He led a full and active life and tried to be a friend to all, never meeting a stranger. Mr. May was always a Gentleman . . . and a Gentle Man. He loved his God, his family, his home, and his Country, America the Beautiful.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Rison United Methodist Church with Brother Jim Stone officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2009 at Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Memorials may be made to the Rison United Methodist Church; P. O. Box 468, Rison, Arkansas 71665. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.