Rebekah R. May

Rebekah R. May

Franklin - Rebekah Ray May, age 103, of Nantahala formerly of Franklin, passed away in the exact place she was born. A native of Macon County, she was the daughter of the late James Robert and Virginia Adaline Wild Ray. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clint May who died in 1952.

Mrs. May graduated from high school, Sylva College Institute and Western Carolina University. She was a retired school teacher for Macon County School System for 33 years; taught school for Ritter Lumber Company and adult education in Nantahala Community; she volunteered for Nantahala Rescue Squad; was a former EMT and was a pink lady for District Memorial Hospital in Andrews. She was a member of United Daughters of the Confederacy Thomas’ Legion Chapter #2698; a member of First Family of Old Buncombe and accepted the Governor’s Award for community service. She was an active member of Briartown Baptist Church where she was director of Baptist Training Union and a former Sunday school teacher and Bible school teacher.

Mrs. May is survived by two daughters, Margaret Sue Anderson and husband Joe of Franklin and Jennilou Mason and husband Ronnie of Topton; one son, James Clinton May of Nantahala; eight grandchildren, Paula A. Cabe, Darlene A. Epley and husband Carl, Marlene A. Roden and husband Keith, Penny M. Stewart and husband Josh, Cicely M. Cable and husband Matt, James D. May, Alicia M. Thurmond and husband Dave and Clinton D. May and wife Laura; step-granddaughter, Maggie Owens and husband Brent, step-grandson, Brock Roden and wife Lauren; great-grandchildren, Chad Cabe, Kailey and Samuel Stewart, Triston Taylor and Kyly Thurmond; great-great step-grandson, Brady Owens and several nieces and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Hyacinth Roper and two brothers, John Ray and Lester Ray.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Briartown Baptist Church with Rev. S. J. Waters, Rev. Larry Icenhower and Rev. Paul Jones officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donald Cross, Mitchell Owenby, Clinton May, James D. May, Josh Stewart, Matt Cable, Keith Roden and Carl Epley. Honorary pallbearers will be Hoyt Owenby, Pearley Owenby, Sidney May, Rodney Chastain and Joe Williams. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 - 8:00 pm at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Saturday from 1 - 2:00 pm at Briartown Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Briartown Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Sidney May, 195 Swain Lane, Topton, NC 28781.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.