Lorene Lorene R.

Lorene Rebecca May of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, August 13, 2013 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Ms. May was born September 7, 1912 in Hodgen, Oklahoma to Lester Hall and Mary J. (Crutchfield) Hall. Ms. May was 100 years, 11 months and 6 days old. She was a life long member of the Waldron First Baptist Church. She was not only a member of the choir, but also served as a Sunday School Teacher for forty plus years, sharing her faith with others. Living daily by her strong faith, Ms. May set a high standard for everyone she came in contact with. Ms. May began her life learning early how to conquer adversity by overcoming difficult situations and flourishing. Losing her father at only 18 months old her mother instilled in her hard work, faith in God and setting personal goals and obtaining them. Ms. May grew up around the Waldron area. She graduated from Waldron High School wearing the crown of WHS first ?Homecoming Queen?. She entered into Oklahoma Baptist University at the young age of 17 with a career in teaching to begin after only 1 ½ years of college. She later received her Bachelors in Education. She has helped many students and touched even more lives, throughout her 45 years as a teacher. Ms. May married the love of her life, Maurice ?Pete May and together they had two children. After ?Pete?s? passing at the age of 37 she was faced with raising her children on her own. Ms. May remembered seeing her mother in this same situation and followed in her footsteps, never to complain. With the help of her mother, Ms. May not only raised her own two children, but when her sister passed, she took in and raised her children as well as another niece. With her love and zeal for life, Ms. May lived each day to the fullest. With her sights set high, she was actively involved in many civic organizations, she was a world traveler and she developed and organized what is now known as the ?Coffee for Cancer?. With the help of some friends, Ms. May would open her home and invite the public in for coffee and snacks to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Ms. May frequently visited the annual Waldron High School Reunions and was voted the oldest alumni in attendance. With strong family ties and the blessings of her children and grandchildren, Ms. May would host Sunday dinners at her home, cooking for and serving as many as 15-20 people and there was always room for more. A testimony to her kind spirit and sweet disposition and love of people. Ms. May leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter, Marion May Ward and one son, Robert May and wife Bonnie, all of Waldron, Arkansas. Maw maw will forever be missed by five grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. Ms. May will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives were impacted by her including her many extended family members, friends, former students and loved ones. Ms. May is preceded in death by her husband, Maurice ?Pete? May, her parents, Lester and Mary Hall, one sister, Melva Walker and one brother, Clyde Hall, one son in law, Johnny Ward and two grandsons, Steve Ward and Jamie May. Ms. May?s life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the Waldron First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Paul Walker and Rev. Collin Lane officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas. Ms. May?s pallbearers will be grandsons and great grandsons. Ms. May?s visitation will be Friday, August 16, 2013 from 11:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas where Ms. May?s family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.