Lavelle Carpenter May

December 24, 1926 - July 31, 2019

Lavelle Carpenter May, age 92, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at a local hospital. She was born in 1926 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the late S.E. and Annie Belle Coody Carpenter. Lavelle loved to share stories from her childhood adventures of her siblings and neighbors. A youth filled with outside recreation led to a lifelong passion for being outdoors, and she especially loved vegetable and flower gardening. From her mother, Lavelle inherited a deep love of; cooking, serving others, and the Lord Jesus. Throughout her life, she sought God’s will and trusted in his providential wisdom. As a young girl thinking about who she would marry, Lavelle claimed she would never marry a younger man or a preacher. God had other plans. During high school in Petal, Mississippi, Lavelle met F. J. (Joe) May, who was one year younger and who was called to be a preacher. They were married June 30, 1946, and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary this year. They shared a wonderful life together, raising a beautiful family while ministering in the Church of God. Their ministry took them from Mississippi to Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, North Dakota, and Louisville, KY. In 1975 their ministry brought them to Cleveland, TN, where they became members of North Cleveland Church of God. Lavelle founded and was a long-time leader of the Ladies Prayer and Praise group at North Cleveland Church. Her family and friends remember her as a prayer warrior, as well as a mentor to numerous women throughout her life. Above all, Lavelle was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. Her husband, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the joys of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceeded in death by four brothers; Robert Carpenter, Raymond Carpenter, William Carpenter, and Stanley Carpenter, three sisters; Ora Belle Buxton, Lurline Hammack, and Juanita Prothro. She is survived by her loving husband Dr. F. J. May of Cleveland, TN, two sons; Wendell May (Twila) of Lousiville, KY, and Flavius May Jr. (Candi) of Shepherdsville, KY, three daughters; Myra Sumner (Jeff) of Springfield, TN, Jeanine Redman (Jerry) and Marilyn Grissom all of Cleveland, TN, two sisters; Mildred Hewes of Pennsicola, FL, Mary Elizabeth Dobbins of Jacksonville, FL, four grandchildren; Brandon May (Amy) and Rachel Mansilla (Lautaro) all of Louisville, KY, Jennifer Redman of Chattanooga, TN, and Elexus Sumner Braden (Jacob) of White House, TN, four great-grandchildren; Jacob May, Sam May, Jaxson Braden, and Martin Mansilla and several nieces and nephews also survive. The Remembrance of Life Service will be held Friday evening at 7 P. M. at North Cleveland Church of God, Dixon Chapel with Pastor Mark Williams and Reverend Mitch Maloney officiating. The family will receive friends in Dixon Chapel from 5 to 7 prior to the service. Graveside Services and Interment will be held Saturday at 11:00 A. M. at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Reverend Travis Porter officiating. Pallbearers will be Wendell May, Jerry Redman, Jeff Sumner, Jacob Braden, Lautaro Mansilla, and Tonnie May. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Unity Sunday School class. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Serivces North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the May family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com