Lois Jean May

Lois Jean (Merillat) May, 88, of Viola, Arkansas passed from this life on Monday, December 21, 2020 in West Plains, Missouri.  Lois was born November 1, 1932 to Elden Merillat and Sylvia (Nafziger) Merillat in Fulton County, Ohio.

Lois was united in marriage to Ronald Ray May on June 23, 1963 in Kansas City, Missouri and to this union two sons were born. Lois came to Calico Rock as a teenager to help her Aunt Vera with youth and church services with the Mennonite Church. Lois spent her working years as an elementary teacher and was a member of the Fulton County Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed visiting and singing at the nursing home and loved sewing and quilting. She made jean pillows and gave them to the graduates for many years. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and was a member of the Viola Methodist Church in Viola, Arkansas.

Lois is survived by her two sons, Elden May and wife Ronda of North Little Rock, Arkansas and John May and wife Pamuela of Viola, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Corby May and wife Kendra of Viola, Arkansas, Callie May of Viola, Arkansas, and Aubrey May of Viola, Arkansas; brother, John Merillat and wife Helen of Wauseon, Ohio; many other relatives and friends.  Lois is preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters (Evelyn Fenton and Elaine Noe), and baby brother (Robert Lee Merillat).

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Viola Baptist Church with Donald Montgomery officiating. Interment will be Saturday, December 26,2020 in the Wild Cherry Cemetery in Wild Cherry, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Corby May, Deion Sanders, Kevin McCandlis, Stacy Perryman, Andy McCandlis, and Scott Gerard. Honorary pallbearers are Quintin Neal, A.J. Neal, Leon Hodges, Randy Love, and Bryan Goulet. Memorials may be made to the Wild Cherry Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.