Edd May

parents were Texas farmers who raised all ten of their children on their family owned farm. In

1951, he graduated as Salutatorian from G.W. Carver High School in Karnack, Texas. Edd was a veteran of the United States Navy, who served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on October 25, 1954. Immediately thereafter, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Rosetta and settled in the “Historic Westside” community to raise his family. In the mid-50’s he purchased a home in Virginia Manor of the same Westside community, where here sided until his passing. Edd was one of the first African-Americans licensed to pilot a small engine airplane in the state of Nevada. In 1957, he joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), an auxiliary of the United States Air Force, as a Commissioned Officer, and he performed countless search and rescue missions throughout the western United States. In addition, Edd served as an Instructor for the Nevada CAP Cadet Program teaching high school age youth about aviation. Edd actively flew small engine aircrafts until 2004.

Edd and his lovely wife Rosetta May raised five children (Edward Wayne, Audrey, Pamela, Angela and Carla). In 1977, Rosetta passed away due to a catastrophic illness. Edd later married his wife of 45 years, the remarkable Margie May. With the addition of her two sons, Ricky and Jeffrey, Edd and Margie committed to continue raising their expanded family in a Christian manner.

Edd was a faithful Christian leader in the community. He was recognized by many as a biblical scholar. In the 60’s and 70’s, he was the sole owner of a religious book and music store that was located in the “Historic Westside” near Jackson Street. He was a charter member of the Victory Missionary Baptist Church (VMBC), which was established in 1961 under the leadership of Reverend A.J Thompson. He faithfully served as the Trustee Board Chairman at VMBC for many years. In the early years of VMBC, Edd was a pianist for Sunday School as well as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. He also served as a devoted teacher for New Members classes at VMBC for many years. Over the years, Edd received several recognition awards from VMBC.

Edd was a 33rd degree Mason and Past Grand Master of the St. Mark’s Grand Lodge A.F. &

A.M., where he remained affiliated until his passing. His other long-term memberships included

the following: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; International order of Forestry; NAACP;

and Optimist Club. He was also a former Boy Scout Master; Little League Baseball coach;

former Board of Director (including a stint as President) with the Westside Federal Credit Union.

Edd’s occupational training began with the United States Navy Construction Technical School

with a focus in carpentry. He also acquired training in Personnel Management at the United

States Navy. He was certified as an Electronic Technician at the Commercial Trades Institute.

He received training in Government Contracts at the University of San Francisco School of Law.

He also received training in Claims and Contract Administration at Touro College. In addition,

Edd received training in Construction Scheduling and Cost Control from Pepperdine University.

He possessed a multitude of other types of certifications in the construction industry.

Edd was a former Nevada Test Site worker. He was a Journeyman Carpenter and a retired

member of the Carpenters Union in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also held General Foreman and

Superintendent positions with various construction companies (including but not limited to Tiberti

and Dalton Properties) in Nevada and California. He has overseen the building of homes,

freeways, Sunrise Hospital, churches, hotels, fire stations, senior citizen complexes, along with

facilities on Army and Air Force bases.

Edd was the sole owner of E&M Construction Company, which was a minority owned business

located in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the Contractor for many redevelopment projects in

Nevada, including the restoration of Nucleus Plaza in the “Historic Westside”. For many years,

he proudly served as Supervisor and Qualifying Employee for the General Contractor’s License

at the Economic Opportunity Board of Clark County (EOB). Edd had a significant role in

fostering the growth of many individuals in the various fields of construction.

Edd finally retired from his various gainful employment endeavors in 2005. He had an untiring

commitment to serving God, family, church, country and community. It’s well known by many

that Edd and Margie maintained a healthy assortment of meals in the fridge, which satisfied the

bellies of their visiting children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great grandchildren,

and a host of other family and friends. Edd was devoted to instilling values, morals and

principles within his family and leading by example. Many people that knew him can quote his

saying, “Times change, but morals and principles don’t”. On January 1, 2014, the Board of

Commissioners of Clark County, Nevada proclaimed that day as “Mr. Edd May Day”.

Edd was preceded in death by his father Lynn Boyd May and mother Eujanie May; brothers Lynn Boyd “B” May, James May, and Bernard May; sisters- Florine Williams, Ernestine Turner,

Johnnie Ruth Irving, and Victoria Mitchell; daughter- Carla May Evans, and grandson- Theodis

Brian Hampton.

Edd leaves to cherish his memories: wife- Margie May; sisters- Birdell Gilbert and Zephyr

James; son- Edward Wayne May (Tanya Perkins May); daughters- Audrey Hampton, Pamela

Fairman, and Angela Cain (Charles Cain); stepsons- Roderick Jimerson (LaTonya Jimerson)

and Jeffrey Jimerson; grandsons- Wayne Lamon May, Rashad Cobb (Dasia Cobb),

Christopher Fairman, Loren Perkins-Johnson, Michael Hampton, Treyveon Evans, Sean

Jimerson, and Ramone Jimerson; granddaughters- Erica O’Connor, Melissa Cain, Kiara

Fairman O’Hara (Elihu O’Hara), Charnell Cain, and Breeanna Ottey (Charles Ottey); 27

great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,