Cecil Richard May Jr.

He was born June 13, 1932 in Martin, TN. Cecil was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Winnie Agnes Williamson May; father Cecil Richard May, Sr.; mother Mary Monette Crain Tindall; and grandson Bradley Richard May. He is survived by wife Janice Blevins May; brother David May (Charlene) of St. Paul, MN, daughter Betty Lozada (Ivan) of Sugar Land, TX, son Cecil May, III (Patti) of North Little Rock, AR, daughter Roslyn Miller (Andy) of Orlando, FL, and son Richard May (JeannaLynn) of Yukon, OK; grandchildren Cecil May, IV (Emma) of Liberty, TX, Bethany Cowdrey (Jared) of Edmond, OK, Jonathan Miller (Felicia) of Ocala, FL, and Brittney Lemons (Brad) of Andover, KS; great-grandchildren Jax, Cecil V, and Leland May of Liberty, TX; Sophia, Jace, and Drew Cowdrey of Edmond, OK; Noah and Lucas Miller of Ocala, FL; Ezekiel and Marceline Lemons of Andover, KS; numerous dearly-loved nieces and nephews; and children of Janice May: Wendy Blevins, Tiffany Beasley (Jere), David Blevins (Ashley), and seven grandchildren.

After growing up in Memphis, TN, Cecil graduated from Harding University in 1954 with a BA in biblical languages. He and Winnie married in 1954. He was a minister for churches of Christ in the following places in the state of Mississippi between 1954 and 1967: Holly Springs; Potts Camp; Ripley; Central Academy and Pine Bluff, both outside of Oxford; Ashland; Fulton, including neighboring Pine Grove and Tilden; While at Fulton, Cecil graduated in 1967 from Harding University Graduate School of Theology with a Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees. Leaving Mississippi for a short time in 1967 for Portland, OR, to use his master degrees, he was Bible professor at Columbia Christian College and also was preacher of Eastside church of Christ in Portland. In 1969, he and his family returned to Mississippi where he was preacher for the I-20 church of Christ in Vicksburg. While at Vicksburg, Cecil and Paul Swindle established a congregation in Raymond, MS. From 1977 to 1980, Cecil was Dean and Bible professor at International Bible College (Heritage Christian University) in Florence, AL. In 1980, Cecil returned to Mississippi where he served as President of Magnolia Bible College (MBC) in Kosciusko, MS until he retired from there in 1997. During this period of time, Cecil was conferred an honorary doctorate by Freed Hardeman University, based on MBC’s achieving accreditation. In 1998, he accepted the position of Dean of V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University, Montgomery, AL and served in that role until 2015 when he was named Dean Emeritus. He served in that role as writer-in-residence until he finally retired in February 2025 at the age of 92.

During the years at Magnolia Bible College and continuing until the last issue in 2024, Cecil authored a bulletin for preachers he entitled Preacher Talk. He wrote the “Bible Questions Answered” column in the Magnolia Messenger magazine for over 40 years. From 2013 till 2020, he enjoyed writing the Back Page of the Gospel Advocate. He also authored several books.

In 2016, Winnie left this world, and in 2017, Cecil and Janice Blevins were married. Cecil continued to write, preach, and teach, keeping regular office hours at Faulkner University. He and Janice enjoyed a healthy social life with special and numerous friends. Their activity centered around Faulkner University and the University church in which he served as an elder.

Cecil passed peacefully from this life at home ten days after his 93rd birthday.

A visitation will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10:00 am followed by a celebratory memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at University church of Christ in Montgomery AL. Burial will be at Pine Grove church of Christ cemetery in Itawamba County MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL, or What God Has Joined Ministries in Yukon, OK.

WGHJ Ministries

11609 NW 6th St,

Yukon, OK 73099