Nellie Elaine May

Nellie Elaine Haden May, age 79, resident of Somerville, Tennessee, departed this life Saturday, May 24, 2025 at her home.

Nellie was born July 20, 1945 in Gretna, Virginia, the daughter of the late Walter Parrish Haden and Mirla Octavia Cocke Haden. She graduated from Gretna High School in 1963 and continued her education at Phillips Business School in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was employed at State Farm Insurance Company for many years before her retirement in 2023.

Nellie was married December 14, 1963 to Billy May who preceded her in death. She loved knitting, traveling with her family to Virginia and hosting and preparing Christmas Eve dinners for her family. She will be remembered for her strong work ethic and for being a loving mother, sister, aunt and grandmother to many.

Mrs. May is survived by her daughter, Marla Earnest (Barry) of Williston, TN; her sister-in-law, Margaret Haden of Gretna, VA; her brother-in-law, James Gibson of Gretna, VA; six grandchildren, Derek May of Somerville, TN, Chad Wolfe (Lauren) of Collierville, TN, Chelsea Wolfe of Somerville, TN, Jay Earnest (Emmajoy) of Memphis, TN, Cooper Earnest of Williston, TN and Ella Earnest of Williston, TN; her great-grandson, Tyler May of Somerville, TN; four nieces, Daphne, Jane, Shelly and Lynn; her nephew, Walt; and her beloved dog, “Winnie”.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved companion, Lewis Wayne; her daughter, Sherry May; her sister, Rita Gibson; and her brother, Clay Haden.

Memorial Services for Mrs. May were held at 2 P.M. Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Jennifer Tilghman officiating. Interment was private.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Fayette County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN 38066.