May Family Reunion

May Legends

MAY FAMILY DESCENDANTS, LEGENDS WITHIN OUR CIRCLE!

From six time author and Poet, Verdia Mitchell Brown, to current Georgia Tech, Steve W. Chaddick School Choir and Professor, Dean Gary May, the May family roots have brough us a long way. Be sure to come to the reunion and learn more about where our roots are taking us to today.

Berdia Mae (Burgess)Brown

Berdia Mae (Burgess) Brown

Berdia Mae Brown is a six time published poet of a collection of poems called the Southernside of Poetry. Her poems are inspired by the time she spent growing up on Aunt Liza May's farm in Delhi, Louisiana. The CD label for her poetry contains a picture of Aunt Liza's farm with a huge Sycamore Tree sitting on the front lawn.

Berdia Mae (Burgess) Brown is the Descendant of Foster May and a direct descendnat of Theodore and Minerva May.

Professor and Dean Gary May

Gary May: The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Gary May - Professor and SteveW.ChaddickSchool Chair

Dr. Gary S. May received the B.E.E. degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1985. He received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California at Berkeley in 1987 and 1991 respectively. While at Berkeley, he was named a National Science Foundation and an AT&T Bell Laboratories Fellow. His thesis research at Berkeley focused on developing a methodology for the automated malfunction diagnosis of semiconductor fabrication equipment. He has held engineering positions at AT&T Bell Laboratories and at McDonnell-Douglas Corp. He was a National Science Foundation "National Young Investigator," Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing, and is a member of the National Advisory Board of the National Society of Black Engineers.

Professor May's research interests include semiconductor process and equipment diagnosis, process control, process simulation, yield analysis and enhancement, and equipment/process modeling. Other areas of interest include semiconductor device physics, statistics, artificial intelligence, and expert systems.

Dr. May also coordinates a summer undergraduate research program for minority students called SURE (formerly known as GT-SUPREEM). This program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is intended to expose them to engineering research in the hopes that they will one day seek admission into the graduate program at Georgia Tech.

Professor May and his wife, LeShelle, had two daughters, Simone Imani May & Jordan Amani May.

Dr. Gary May is the Descendant of Thomas May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Charde Kelly

Charde Kelly

Charde Kelly graduated from Howard University School of Business. Charde was the former treasurer and president of Ubiquity Inc, a community service social fellowship. Charde is an active member of the Howard University Alumni Association. While at Howard University Charade volunteer’s at senior homes, homeless shelters and in schools. Most of Charde's paid and volunteer work focuses on literacy.

Charde currently resides in Mid City Los Angeles and works for the County of Los Angeles Tax Assessors office. Charde volunteers at local Howard Alumni events, as well as, the annual Los Angeles Black College Expo and tutors local youth. Charde is also a volunteer at the Bicycle Kitchen as well as an avid cyclist.

Charde's career aspirations are to create an organization that focuses on literacy primarily in public grade schools in the inner-city, as well as, a program focused on financial literacy in middle and high schools.

Charde Kelly is the daughter of Letia Hedgeman.

Charde Kelly is the Descendant of Sam May and the direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Lee May

Commissioner Lee May: DeKalb County District 5

Commissioner Lee May is the youngest person in the history of DeKalb County Government to be elected to serve on the Board of Commissioners. DeKalb County District 5 voters elected him to a four year term as Commissioner in November 2008. District 5 serves the following DeKalbCounty areas: Conley, Conyers, Decatur, Ellenwood, Lithonia and Stone Mountain. DeKalb County Board of Commissioners oversees a $600+ million budget and Commissioner May serves as the voice for nearly 160,000 residents located in the heart of one of the most affluent African-American communities in the country. May campaigned on a platform to address the concerns of the people and he stands on a promise to make a positive impact in his community.

He currently serves as the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Board of Commissioners, Chairman of the Planning & Economic Development Committee, and a member on the Public Safety and General Safety Committee. May is the Chairman of the Community and Economic Development Steering Committee with (NACo) National Association of Counties). He is a proud member and leader within the Association of County Commissioners (ACCG), Georgia Democratic Party State Committee, Leadership Georgia, Leadership DeKalb, and Young Elected Officials Network (YEO). He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and serves as one of the youngest ordained Elders at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Eddie L. Long.

Commissioner May is a 1998 honors graduate of the historic Clark Atlanta University, and the prestigious Emory University. May is married to wife Robin and father to daughters Ryann Kimberly and Reagan Leanne.

Lee May is the Descendant of Sam May and the direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Greg May

Greg May:

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Greg had his first music success before he was 12 years old, when one of his songs was recorded and released by “Little Daddy Walton”. After which he moved to L.A.

4 Hit Records: A Thousand Reasons Why, Wine & Dine, Sunshine, Don´t Worry.

Grammy Nomination: L.A. Jazz Choir

3 World Tours including Africa, Australis & Russia: With Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Four Tops, Sister Sledgeand more.

Opening act, Support Vocal or Support for: Earth Wind & Fire, B.B. King, Philip Bailey, Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Osborne, Lionel Richie, Al Jarreau & The Righteous Brothers.

Song Writing: Recorded by The Temptations, Four Tops, Spinners, Ronnie McNair, Enchantment.

Greg May is the Descendant of Foster May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Ruby Taylor

Ruby Taylor

Ruby Taylor, daughter of Jerome and Lizzy (Fountain) May, retired from the Sacramento Army Depot in 1989 as the first black Branch Chief Contracting Officer. She began her career working in the Sierra Army Depot in 1961 as a Procurement Clerk Typist as a GS2 with a high school degree and two years of college. She received quality increase awards on an annual basis and retired as a GS12 with numerous awards and recognition from the Army Department.

As the first black woman in procurement, she could sign contracts for the Department of the Army up to $10 million. During her tenure as Branch Chief Contracting Officer, Ruby was most recognized for winning a $3.8 million contract to purchase Black Hawk aircraft and for soliciting and negotiating high dollar complex contracts such as the purchase of auto data processing equipment and procuring night vision goggles -ITT ANVIS for helicopter pilots fighting in Desert Storm.

Ruby Taylor is a Descendant of Jerome May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May

Sean May

Sean Gregory May (born April 4, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. May was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. He was a three-time all-state selection at Bloomington High School North, and was at one time a teammate of current NBA player Jared Jeffries. May was named to the 2002 McDonald's High School All-American team. He played in the 2002 McDonald's game with Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants, who would later team with May to win an NCAA Championship.

When the heavily-recruited May chose to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill it was a major surprise to most basketball recruiting observers; it had been thought that he would stay in his hometown and attend Indiana. He had strong family connections to IU; his father Scott was a forward on the school's undefeated 1976 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship team and won the Naismith Award the same year, and his brother Scott Jr. played for the IU team that made the NCAA title game in 2002.

At North Carolina, May made his mark as the starting center for the Tar Heels basketball team from 2003 to 2005. As a junior, he was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2005 NCAA tournament after leading North Carolina to its fourth national championship. The Tar Heels defeated the University of Illinois by a score of 75-70 to win the title, with May scoring 26 points on 10-11 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Career History in the NBA:

Charlotte Bobcats (2005-2009)
Sacramento Kings (2009-2010)

Sean May is the Descendant of Jerome May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Tribute To: Willie Jean Carter-Russell

Willie Jean Carter was the Child of John and Eliza May-Carter, Granddaughter of Foster May. Willie Jean was a lady of Class, Charm, Poise and Dignity.

She wanted to be a Fashion Model. In the late 60’s she joined The Mildred Johnson School of Charm, Modeling and Etiquette. Willie Jean was Sincere, Dedicated and disciplined. Her million dollas smile was her greatest attribute.

In all her presentations whether in Houston or other cities, her charm, smile and runway style won the attention of the audience at church functions, charities events and other social gathering. Bring a high fashion black model in the 60"s and 70"s did not afford her a lot of opportunities. In the late 70's she moved to California, attended UCLA and received her Accounting Credentials. Willie Jean became a revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service until her death.

Gone To Soon:
1942-1989

Darrin May

Darrin May

When you are watching the Sacramento Kings on the tube, you might notice a young handsome African American man sitting behind the Kings bench, usually dressed in a tailored suit. Well,
he is Darrin May and his job title is Executive Director of Media Relations for the Sacramento Kings.

Darrin May travel with the team to all NBA cities and his favorite city is Atlanta, because that was were his first job started in the NBA. He worked for the Atlanta Hawks for 10 years and he always enjoy going back there. He also enjoy New York, Chicago and Toronto; those are good cities as well.

Darrin May was a communications major and graduated right at Sacramento State University in May of 1989. Right after graduating he did an internship with the Kings in their PR department and that started his career with the Kings. Darrin is the son of John and Rose May of Santa Rose, CA. Darrin father John Edward May, serves as the Thomas May branch oldest living descendant.

Darrin May is the Descendant of Thomas May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Monique Antoinette

Ms. Monique Antoinette

Monique Antoinette is the author of Grateful For Grief Seasons of Transformation. She fell in love with her grief after the suicide of her only son. As a Life Coach she continues to inspire people to follow the grief experience created especially
for them through Transformative Grief Conversations.

In other life areas she encourages her clients to transform their lives by first honoring the truth about who they really are, not apologizing for it, then deliberately creating a ridiculously, beautiful life from that point.

Monique Antoinette’s, next upcoming project is “Let’s Talk About Grief from a Higher Point of Consciousness .” She is traveling the globe interviewing everyday people to break the silence about grief. Monique Antoinette, a creative entrepreneur, is also the owner of a new specialty dessert company moniqueantoinettesdesserts.com. With her culinary skills she has created America’s New Dessert© “The Cobbler Cookie Collection.

Monique Antoinette is a Descendant of Warren May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Rudy May

Rudy May

Rudolph May, Jr. (born July 18, 1944 in Coffeyville, Kansas) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1965 to 1983 for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos. May was noted for possessing a very good curveball.

MLB debut: September 21, 1983 for the New York Yankees

Career statistics: Pitching Record 152-156
Earned run average 3.46
Strikeouts 1760

Teams: California Angels (1965, 1969-1974), New York Yankees (1974-1976, 1980-1983), Baltimore Orioles (1976-1977), Montreal Expos (1978-1979)

Rudy May is the Descendant of Warren May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May

Bobby Joe Saucer

A resident of Decatur, Georgia, Bobby Joe Saucer is a minister with The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board of the American Baptist Churches USA. This former Dean of the Morehouse School of Religion is considered a pioneer in the areas of theological educational program planning, design, implementation, and evaluation. Saucer has implemented numerous educational conferences, internships, and endowments including most recently, a scholarship endowed fund at Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. His numerous studies include gerontology at Brandeis University and he holds degrees from Southern University, Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and Andover Newton Theological School. Bobby Joe Saucer is the author of: Our Help in Ages Past

Bobby Joe Saucer a Descendant of Doctor May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Harold Davis Jr.

Dr. Harold Davis, Jr., RVT, VTS (ECC)

Harold is a graduate of the California State University Sacramento, receiving a BA degree in biology. Currently, he is Manger of the Emergency and Critical Care Service at the William R Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. He has extensive experience in the field of emergency and critical care medicine, both in private and university practice.

As co-founder of the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, Harold was instrumental in obtaining from North American Veterinary Technicians Association provisional recognition for technicians as specialist. This is the first organization to receive this acceptance. Among his many honors, Harold received the Merck AgVet Award for Creativity in Teaching and the California Veterinary Medical Association Outstanding Animal Health Technician Award. Harold was the Robert Cello Distinguished Lecturer at the annual UC Davis Fall Symposium-Advances in Veterinary Medicine. He was the inaugural speaker for the Jack L. Mara Memorial lecture at the 2004 North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC). He was recognized as the 2009 Speaker of the Year for Veterinary Technicians at the 2010 NAVC. In 1985 he was appointed by California Governor George Deukmejian to serve on the Registered Veterinary Technician Examining Committee, a sub committee of the Veterinary Medical Board. Harold served a record fifteen years on that committee. He is president of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). Harold is the first non-veterinarian elected to this position of this 4000 plus member organization. Other memberships include founding member of the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetist, American Animal Hospital Association, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, and The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (A human organization). He serves on the CE program committees for The North American Veterinary Conferences, and VECCS. In addition, he is on the editorial board for the Veterinary Technician Journal.

Harold lectures throughout the U.S. and abroad, most recently in Aarhus Denmark and New Zealand. In addition, Harold has published several book chapters and peer reviewed journal articles. He is currently co-editing a new book entitled Advanced Nursing and Monitoring Techniques for Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care.

Harold Davis is a Descendant of Doctor May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

Esther Toombs High School Ladies Basketball Team

Pauline May, Ozzie Lee May,Geraldine King-Bolden & Hazel May-Jackson

Women’s State Basketball Championship

Four young May family girls were a part of the most successful period in Esther Toombs’ athletic history.{Delhi} During the years of 1952-1955, Pauline (Center), Ozzie Lee (Power Forward), Hazel (Guard) & Geraldine King (Point) led Esther Toombs High to the school’s only 4 years back to back State Championships. Sisters (Pauline, Ozzie & Hazel) the daughters of Hayward and Emma May and their cousin Geraldine King, the daughter of Susie and Charlie King were key members of the school’s championship drive.

Unity, determination and a desire to be the best symbolized the girls’ efforts. Playing against the likes of McCall High, Thomastown and Waverly High School, the girls would always have to play their best. The championships were proof that they were not to be denied. Fifty-six years later, we would like to take time and thank the May girls, as well as other key members of the team, Holly Bell Thomas and Zola McCall, for their significant achievement.

Other members of our family have been very successful in the world of sports. All of them are to be commended. However, it is the Esther Toombs Women Basketball Team that brought pride and joy to a small town in Northeast Louisiana, leaving an indelible legacy for future generations to learn from. Unity, Determination and an unceasing Desire; Seeds of Success was the rallying cry for a group of girls who saw no limits. We proudly honor those girls. GO MIGHTY RAMS, GO!

Pauline, Ozzie Lee, Geraldine & Hazel or all Descendant of Doctor May and a direct descendant of Theodore and Minerva May.

And here I was thinking that, I was the only Nationally Recognized Legend!