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BORN
1955
DIED
2025
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John May Obituary
Jul 29, 1955 - Dec 11, 2025
Dr. John Scott May, age 70, of Winston-Salem, N.C., passed away at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home on Thursday, December 11, 2025. John was born in Winston-Salem on July 29, 1955, to Dr. William Joseph May and Doris Elizabeth Burke May.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, William Joseph May Jr., Charles Burke May, and James Bryan May. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Connie Royal May; son, Joseph Andrew May (wife Jessica) of Apex, N.C. and son William Scott May (wife Kara Iskenderian) of Alexandria, Va. and granddaughter Elizabeth Therese May (Apex, N.C.); brother, Robert Eugene May (Lexington, N.C.); nieces, Jenny Ferguson (High Point), Chrissy Long (Clemmons, N.C.), and Meredith May (Laurel, Md.) and nephew, William Tucker (Atlanta, Ga.).
John graduated from High Point University in 1977, and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University in 1982. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in 1988. Following his residency, he joined the faculty at Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1988 and practised there until his retirement as Emeritus Professor in 2020.
He achieved his childhood dream of working at Baptist Hospital and helping people.
John loved teaching residents, treating patients, hearing about their lives and their children, solving their complex medical problems, and following their lives for years.
He will be remembered for his great passion for learning, teaching, and watching his family grow, change, and accomplish their dreams.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Lisa Moore and Florina Byrd-Hairston, the Staff at Homestead Hills Memory Care, and the Staff at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.
Memorials can be sent to Centenary United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice.
Funeral service will be at Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 W 5th Street, Winston-Salem, at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, with visitation after the service in the Church Auditorium. Condolences may be shared at www.salemfh.com.
Salem Funeral & Cremation Service
2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Memories and Condolences
for John May
Sponsored by Salem Funerals & Cremations - Reynolda Rd..
Linda A Bowman
January 15, 2026
My condolences to his family. What a great man he was, he always had my utmost respect. What a pleasure it was to be a patient of his. He always knew what to do and say and how to treat my condition with my ears. He introduced me to my first Cochlear BAHA and its importance of being able to hear as a nurse it was crucial for me. He treated me for over 20 years. My last appointment was in May 2020 right before I retired. Not only was he my doctor I counted him as friend. Thank you for letting me share this memory.
Linda A Bowman
Tammy Pilkenton
December 24, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss, I was a patient of his for many years, just found out yesterday at my ENT visit that he had passed. I was heartbroken this man basically saved my life.
My right ear was a mess when I met him for my first appointment and he explained alot I did not know, years of ear infections, past procedures. This man was a great doctor.. I will be forever grateful ...
Debra Simons
December 20, 2025
Not only was Dr May a miracle worker. He was also a fine and compassionate human being and one in 1 million. He made an incredible difference for a relative of mine with his skill and was among the most humble of dedicated physicians and souls . It is a sad loss...
Phyllis Brown Little
December 19, 2025
My sincere condolences and prayers. I worked with Dr. May in the OR since he was a resident until I retired. He was a great surgeon and one of a kind. I loved working with him . I am so sorry I could not attend the service on today. I really wanted to be there to pay my respects.
Phyllis Brown Little
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Jerry Smith
December 19, 2025
So sorry for your loss Connie. Sending my prayers and thoughts to you and the family,
Karen Buchanan, RN
December 18, 2025
I will be praying for you all that Christ will fill your void and give you the comfort and strength needed during this time. I was one of a handful nurses that worked with him in Outpatient OR and at Minor Procedures next to his clinic in Comp Rehab for many years. The few of us old timers still around often bring up memories of him in the OR. Anytime I hear Allen Jackson on the radio, I think of him. He liked to hear his music in the OR. Talking about his family always put him in a happy place. He will be missed.
Aretha Rosemond
December 18, 2025
My condolences to the family of such a great man. I will forever be thankful for him. He gave me my life back and forth that I am forever grateful. He performed Cochlear implant surgery on me and I'm still in the hearing world ..I was told I'd never be able to hear again that surgery could not help me do God lead me to Dr. May. Forever honored and grateful. Aretha Rosemond
Fran Gordon
December 17, 2025
Please accept my sincere sympathy and prayers for your loss. I was a patient of Dr. May's for over 10 years and he always was compassionate, caring, and took all the time in the world with me. He was a very special person and the sky has a new bright shining star. He will truly be missed. May his memory be a blessing.
Susan Kay Adam´s Craver
December 17, 2025
Dr. May was my doctor for 20 years. I missed him so much when he retired.. my mom was his scrub nurse until she retired. I was his father`s office nurse for 20 years.. I feel like I´ve lost a very dear friend..
Deborah Jordan Turner
December 17, 2025
Dr. May was one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of working with. Deb Jordan Turner
Lynn Schroeder
December 17, 2025
So sorry to hear this sad news. I always enjoyed working with Dr. May. I know he will be missed
Lynn Schroeder
Bonny Moran
December 17, 2025
Connie and family,
Our deepest sympathies in the loss of Dr.May. Knew him from memory
With my father. Peace be with you,
Bonny Moran, Norman Brogdon
Mary F Lyles
December 17, 2025
John was a wonderful faculty colleague who treated all the patients I referred with his kind approach, patience, and expert care. He was a great listener; everyone noticed and cherished that. My condolences to his family and to his work family at the Medical Center.
Jordan Wallin
December 16, 2025
What a legend of a mentor. I have so many incredible memories of Dr May. Before I heard of his passing I was operating today and quoting his famous Mayisms. He will be missed and his legacy continues on in the lives of those he trained. Thanks for sharing John with us.
Betty Petree
December 16, 2025
I am so sorry to see of hai passing. John was a talented physician and wonderful person. He will be missed.
Deborah Golden-Alvarez
December 16, 2025
I was saddened to hear about my Otolaryngologist. I was just speaking of him this past week. He was a very good Doctor and truly cared about his patients. My condolences during this most difficult time. May God give you much comfort and peace.
Terri Rhodes
December 16, 2025
So sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed. Love and prayers for the whole family. - Mike & Terri Rhodes
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