Earl V. May, born on August 16, 1945, in Lost Corner, Arkansas passed away into the arms of his Lord on September 23, 2024, in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of 79. He was the son of the late Howard and Alice (Simmons) May.
Earl graduated from Sylvan Hills High School and was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in South Korea where he met the love of his life for 55 years, Chom S. May. He was employed in the grocery retail business for over 30 years. Before joining the military, he was licensed for ministry at Cedar Heights Baptist Church. He attended Graves Memorial Baptist Church in his later years.
Earl found joy in collecting antiques and expressing his creativity through drawing. But above everything else, he cherished spending time with his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Chom May; his children, Karen Gottsponer (Dale), John May (Michelle), and Jody May (Stacy); his grandchildren, Tori Wickless (Blake), Jordan, Sarah, Joshua, and Samantha Gottsponer, Natalie and Nora May, Darren Hone (Amber), Grace May, Kaylee Lunsford, Leanna May, Gracie Lunsford, Jacob Conner, and Della Conner; and his great-grandchildren, Tristan and Taylor Wickless. He is also survived by his sister, June (May) Harness, and many nieces and nephews. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings, Syble Kaplon, Lucille Boll, and Emma Roberts; and granddaughter, Rebekah Joy Gottsponer.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the VA Hospital in Little Rock for their amazing care of Mr. May during his time there.
Visitation will be held on October 4, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Service from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, both taking place at Smith Family Funeral Home, located at 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114. Burial with military honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Grove in North Little Rock, AR.
Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. 501-758-1170.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114

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