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Mary Evelyn May (Evelyn), age 98, passed away on the morning of September 9th, 2023, at her residence in Tallahassee. Evelyn was born on December 2, 1924, to Briggs Ellis McArthur and Velleda Lee. The family lived in Meridian, Mississippi, part of a large extended family filled with the usual Southern characters. Though it was during the Depression and times were hard, she and her younger sister, Tita, were always sure they were loved. She loved music and dance, - ballet, jazz and tap. Her starring moment was as the Sugar Plum Fairy. In 1941, she met Bill May. She was in high school, and he was the handsome older man in college. The war came quickly. He joined the service and became a Marine pilot. They did not wait for the end of the war and married before he went overseas. Almost a year later, they had their first child. The war ended, and they could finally build their lives together. Over the years the family grew to include two more children. Between the Marine Corps and the Federal Aviation Agency, they were moved many times. At each stop, she was very involved in the activities of her church, her family and community. Eventually, as part of their retirement, they moved to Tallahassee to be close to family. Dance was the passion of her childhood, but writing was to be her adult passion. After her children were grown, she became serious about writing and returned to school, eventually receiving her A.A. from Pensacola Community College, and then went on to the University of West Florida. Her forte was the short story. Evelyn was a beautiful soul. Her intelligence and wit only added to her graciousness and charm. She was kind and sharing and could make anyone feel at home immediately. Even in those days when Alzheimer's had robbed her of so much, she still reached out to those she felt were having more difficulties than her own. She always expressed her affection and gratitude to those around her. You cannot tell Evelyn’s story without telling of the love between she and “her man”, Bill. Their marriage of 78 years was a story of deep love, devotion, and passion. It was a journey through the hills and valleys of the changes of two people living through the passage of teenage lovers, the growth of their individual selves and talents, financial hardships, illness, and moments of great joy. It was a story of endless love. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Willam (Bill) May, her sister, Vellada Owen, and is survived by her children, Martha (Lanny) Larson, Gerald (Roxanne Taylor) May, and Janice (Jim Hernandez) May; her grandchildren, Briggs May, Dinorah (Ryan) Bailey and Thad (Suhail) Larson; and great grandchildren, Seth Larson, Ariani Harris and Tucker Harris. She enjoyed a special relationship with her nieces, Anna Penelopy Owen Dudley and Sharon Turcotte and nephew, Edwin Owen. Her advanced illness robbed her of the joy of knowing the lovely additions to her family, Barbara, and Savannah. A funeral service for Evelyn will be held at Advent Episcopal Church, 815 Piedmont Dr., Tallahassee, Florida, on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 2:00PM. She will be interred at a later time in Semmes Cemetery in Meridian Mississippi. In lieu of flowers donations are requested for Grace Mission, or Alzheimer’s Project, INC. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Mary Evelyn May

December 2, 1924 - September 9, 2023