Lorna Lou May

Lorna was born on August 14, 1946 in Waco, Texas. After the death of her mother in 1948, her father Robert married Wanda Sue Butler, and they raised Lorna and her brother in Monument, NM. Lorna spent the majority of her life in Big Spring, Texas, teaching elementary and junior high school for 20 years before retiring in 2006. She was a dedicated teacher and touched and enriched so many young lives.

Lorna married Joe May, the love of her life in 1969. They had two children, Jeffrey and Jennifer. After moving to Big Spring in 1978, she opened a daycare in her home specifically for the children of teachers. That allowed her to work and also spend as much time with her family as possible. When her kids were in middle school she went back to college and earned her teaching degree. After retiring, she and Joe enjoyed taking cruises whenever possible and were able to see much of the world’s beauty together. She also enjoyed taking trips with many of her close friends. She was an avid reader and could often be found engrossed in a book on her patio with her cats. She loved music and liked going to concerts whenever possible. She was there when George Strait “rode away” at Cowboys Stadium - an experience that gave her so much joy. She was extremely intelligent and was a student of history, especially Texas history. She was a wonderful conversationalist and never met a stranger. Everyone who came to know her instantly knew what her family had known all along: Lorna was special.

She moved to Arlington, Texas, with her daughter Jennifer, in 2014, to be closer to family after Joe passed away that October. She loved being near her grandchildren and playing a part in their daily lives. Alex and Maddy loved being able to see her whenever they wanted, and eating Blue Bell with her. Lorna made fast friends with her Arlington neighbors who shared many laughs with her on the patio feeding the raccoons (even though she was not supposed to).

Lorna was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe May, her father Robert Loarn Pate, and her mother Edith Gilcrease Pate.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer May, son Jeffrey May and his wife Jennifer Lamb, grandkids Alexander Loarn May and Madison Lewis Lamb, brother Robert Layne Pate and his wife Deborah and their sons Zachary and Lance of Norman, OK, mother Wanda Sue Pate of Hobbs, NM, and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to donate to Lorna’s favorite charity, The American Diabetes Association. A celebration of Lorna’s life will be held Saturday afternoon, April the 30th in a private room at Abuelo’s Restaurant at I-20 and Matlock Rd in Arlington from 2:00-4:00.