Margie May was born in South Carolina on December 22, 1931, and she passed away at her home in Austin, Texas on March 15, 2021. She is survived by her devoted children Lynn and Michael. We knew we would miss her, but we weren’t ready for how much.
Mom often said she couldn’t remember a thing about her early childhood in South Carolina, and her kids eventually learned to complete that sentence with ‘because it was just that hard.’ She was born to her teenage mother Mary, whose Romeo and Juliet marriage had been annulled as soon as their parents found out about it. Margie was raised by her Grandmother, but nurtured and mothered by her dear Aunt Lona Johnson, whose daughter Daisy Lee was like a sister to Margie.
After graduating High School, Margie enlisted in 1952, serving in the Army until 1955. A veteran of the Korean War, she served as a medical technician at the 279th General Hospital in Osaka, Japan. Margie earned three medals for her service overseas: the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
After her service in Japan, Margie was stationed at Fort Ord, California, where she attained the rank of Sergeant and met her husband-to-be, George May. Living close to San Francisco gave Mom the chance to reconnect with her mother, and she found a loving father in Mary’s husband Barney Green, who also turned out to be a terrific grandpa.
After leaving the Army honorably upon her marriage, Margie continued to serve as an Army wife. She supported her husband’s rising career from Officer Candidate School to Flight School, all the way to Major at his retirement, while raising their two children, Lynn and Michael. The young family moved to Northeast Austin in 1961.
Mom was a strong-willed woman and she always insisted that the family move with Dad to his posts. He would be sent for short assignments to bases throughout the South with family in tow, but we always returned to Austin. We couldn’t go with him the two times he served in Vietnam, but Mom kept us safe and busy enough for those years to pass without his absence feeling much more than everyday. She made all the holidays special, and also found time to volunteer at the Red Cross as a candy-striper.
After their divorce and George’s untimely death just a few months later, Margie supported her family through the course of many jobs, from slinging barbecue to Home Health Aide to Supermarket Sample Lady. She paid the bills and paid off her house, an accomplishment we all understand. As an adult, Margie chose to become a confirmed Catholic. Mom had many dear friends, most of whom have gone on before her. Surviving her are our Family Friends, the Tracey Family and Roxane Smith, daughter of Gail Lehman, Mom’s first good friend in Austin.
As the first female member of VFW Post 8925, Margie was an active member there for over twenty years. She was elected and installed as the Post’s first female Commander from 2003 to 2004. She’d been previously elected to positions such as Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Chaplain, and many, many others. We’re not exaggerating here; there’s a foot-high stack of certificates, commendations and plaques to prove it. Mom worked tirelessly at her VFW Post to inspire its members to support the Armed Forces community and she enjoyed her friendships there.
Margie spent her later years at home with her son Michael to watch over her. After her daughter’s retirement, Lynn would visit in October to stay through the holiday season. Our birthdays are all in the last three months of the year, so it was good to celebrate together again and be there for each other. Life won’t be the same without our little Mommy.
Margie May’s Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX. We’ve reserved the large chapel, so there will be plenty of room for social distancing. Anyone wishing to speak is encouraged to. If you have a favorite memory of Mom, we’d love to hear it.
Margie’s Graveside Service will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 3:30 pm at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX. If you have a prayer to offer there, we’d love to hear that, too.
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