May Arrington

May Ola Stephens Tramble Arrington, a beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Culver City, California, on November 3, 2024, after a brief illness. She was 85 years old.

Born on May 21, 1939, in Bronston, Florida, May Ola was the fifth of twelve children born to Virgil Stephens Sr. and Annie Mae McCann Stephens. She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Virgil Jr., Eugene Wesley Stephens, Roosevelt Stephens Sr., Linda Grace Hand, Odessa Rose Stewart, and Roberta Stephens Hagar. She is survived by her living siblings: Betty Jean Stephens, Deloris Douglas, Clementine King, and Claude Alfred Stephens.

May Ola’s life was marked by her unwavering generosity, boundless love, and fierce devotion to her family. She was known for her kind heart, always offering help when needed and ensuring that her loved ones knew they were cared for. Though she traveled widely, her home and her family were always her center, and she was particularly dedicated to supporting her sisters and family during times of need.

May Ola was a woman of many talents and interests. An avid tennis player, she was known for her athleticism and competitive spirit. She also enjoyed bowling and was quite skilled, participating in leagues for many years. She was famous, especially to her son Everett, for her delicious carrot cake, which was always a hit at family gatherings. Her hobbies included sewing, working out at her gym, completing crossword puzzles, and playing cards and dominoes—activities that kept her mind sharp and her heart joyful.

May Ola was also a lover of travel, with a special fondness for Las Vegas, where she was a consistent winner. She loved to remodel her furniture, often taking on home projects with her signature attention to detail and creativity.

After graduating from high school, May Ola moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to further her education, where she met her first husband, John H. Tramble. Her journey through life was one of adventure, love, and resilience, and she always made those around her feel valued and cared for. Years after her divorce from John, she met James Arrington in Santa Monica in the 1960’s and married in 1978 and where married for 50 years and traveled the world together until her passing.

She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and a love for life that will never be forgotten. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and a host of family and friends who will forever remember her with love and affection.

A celebration of May Ola’s life will be held at a future date. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice in her honor.

May Ola's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her—her caring nature, her generous spirit, and her love for family will never be forgotten.

A visitation for May will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury Funeral Directors, 4220 South Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230.