Elva Jewel May

Elva Jewel "Jo" Sutherland May passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025 at Baylor, Scott and White, Marble Falls after a brief illness. Jo was born October 9, 1933 at home in Alvesta,TX now known as Port Arthur, TX, to Lester Valentine Sutherland and Lillie Miller Sutherland.

Elva "Jo" married Robert "Bob" May on July 27, 1956 in Beaumont, TX at the home of Opal and Jack Martin. The newly married couple lived with her grandfather in Port Arthur, TX before establishing their own home in Port Arthur, TX and having four children. Bob worked for Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and was transferred around Texas. Jo and the kids followed from Port Arthur to Corpus Christi, back to Beaumont near family, to McAllen and four years after retiring, moved to Kingsland in the Texas Hill Country. Visitors were always welcome and with a little notice, breakfast tacos, 7-layer salad, lasagna, deviled eggs, chicken and dumplings, and many other favorites were waiting.

Jo and Bob loved living on Lake LBJ and the daily experiences of watching the local wildlife. Every year, they enjoyed long wildflower drives to see bluebonnets and many other Texas favorites. For many years, the Friday Night Friends met for lunch or dinner, and would frequently come by the house for dessert. Lakefront living has been the perfect family gathering place since 1990. Family and friends were always welcome.

Over the years, Jo was just one nickname. She was also known as: Mom, Mother, Jo, Elva Jo, Jody, Mrs May, Bobby and Jo, Aunt Jo, Ain't Jo, Aunt Weird, Missy May, Mississippi, Miss Jo, Miss Elva, Ain't Elva Jo, Sunshine and most recently Mawmaw. Plus, she will always be known as Rick, Staci, Lori and Bret's Mom.

Jo is survived by; sons, Rick May (Kingsland, TX), Bret May (Kingsland, TX); daughters Staci Brady (Spring, TX), Lori May (Fort Worth, TX); grandchildren Brie Brady (John), Bryce Brady, Bailey Brady, and Alexis Davidson (Derek); great grand daughter Paisleigh Davidson and great grand son Mason Davidson; sister-in-law Dorothy Sutherland; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents Lester Valentine Sutherland and Lillie Miller Sutherland, sister Opal Palmyr Martin, brother Lester Adison Sutherland, in-laws; Gerald May, Jack Martin, J.C. May, Betty May, Mildred Erickson, Arvid Erickson, and son-in-law Roger Brady.

Cremation services were made under the direction of Harrell Funeral Home and Crematory, Kingsland, TX.

The family is grateful for the comfort, care and compassion provided by the Altus Marble Falls hospice team and the Windchime Assisted Living team in Mom's final days.