Katherine G. May

Her Life, Her Story

Katherine Gibbs May, age 96, transitioned to her heavenly home on July 23,2026 after an extended illness. She was born in Montgomery, AL to James and Ada Gibbs. She earned her high school degree from Booker T. Washington H.S. in Montgomery, AL, and in 1947 moved to Anderson, IN. She furthered her education at the Eel River Perry Consolidated School, Fort Wayne, IN. graduating in 1950. She continued her schooling at Indiana Business College, Anderson, IN, and graduated in 1954.

Katherine met and married L. C. May, and together they had five children. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her children and extended family. Katherine and her late husband, L. C. May, raised their children with the values of Christian faith, lifelong learning, hard work, and service to others.

Guided by her deep faith in Jesus Christ, she accepted Christ as savior at an early age while attending Decatur Street Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL. After moving to Anderson, she became an active and long-time member of Anderson Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend J. T. Menifee. Katherine later joined Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, Anderson, where she was a loyal and devoted member of the Missionary Ministry until her passing.

She had numerous talents and interests including reading, traveling, cooking, and gardening. Her Sunday dinners always included vegetables grown in their garden, German chocolate cakes, and sweet potato pies which were among the best, and hard to beat. She passed along to her children a love for cooking meals and serving desserts.

Katherine’s, life’s work included various secretarial and clerical positions at Defense Finance, and Accounting (DFAS) Indianapolis, IN (14-years). Later, she was employed at General Motors, Delco Remy division where she retired after more than twenty-two years.

Her extensive civic involvement included board positions at the Madison County Community Health Center and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statue Commission, for which she was most proud. She was also a life-long member of the N.A.A.C.P. Among her most notable life achievements was joining husband L. C. May in co-founding and co-managing L. C. May Funeral Services, Inc. in 1960. The family-owned funeral home continues to serve the Anderson, IN and Muncie, IN communities with compassionate, and family-centered funeral services.

Katherine is survived by her children Ronald L. May (Chelsea), Valerie May, David V. May (Bettie), Joseph A. May (Veda); Daughter-in-law Kay May, Sister-in-law Gloria Gibbs; grandchildren Camille Breaux (Brittney), Millington, TN; Diane E. May-Hogan (Brandon), Washington D.C. and Matthew A. May, Denver, CO; Great grandchildren, Nahla Rene Breaux, Jiriaya Malik Breaux, Amara Journee Breaux, and Kwame Khalil Breaux; special nephew Charles Cotton, special nieces, Catherine Marcella Steans, Regina Louise Louis, and Mary “Duce” Wilson, and a host of wonderful nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, special friends Rosa Smith (Montgomery, AL), Linda Boyd and Mother Pearleen Lewis-King of Anderson, IN.

Katherine is preceded in death by parents James and Ada Gibbs, husband L. C. May, son, Stanley R. May; brothers Vincent Gibbs and Adair Gibbs; sisters Rosa Dixon, Ethel Hampton, Betty J Patterson.

The May family would like to thank you for taking a moment to share a memory of knowing our mother.

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