Stephanie Ambrose May

Born a child of God on November 26, 1932, and died a believer in Jesus Christ on October 6, 2020, Stephanie cherished the free gift of redemption and the gift of family more than anything on earth. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was not afraid of life and lived it to the fullest-trekking Mt. Everest, bicycling the Lorie Valley, rafting the Snake River, then around the world several times. In her younger years, she participated in the Dallas Turkey Trot and was an avid skier. At age 84, her goal was to walk 20 or more miles every month. She had peace beyond understanding and kept her faith in times of great trials.

Stephanie was preceded in death by her parents Karl Jordan and Emily Griffin Ambrose, of Jacksonville, Fla., and her only brother, Karl Jordan Ambrose, Jr., and his wife Bobbie. Stephanie graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1951. She attended Florida State University, Southern Methodist University, and El Centro Junior College. Stephanie was the Florida State Dairy Queen in 1951, and a freshmen beauty at Florida State University.

It was at Southern Methodist University where she met, and later married, John Edward May. After 25 years of marriage, John, their only son Davin Edward, youngest daughter Karla Emily May, and son-in-law Richard Owen Snyder were killed in a plane crash on March 18, 1979, in Aspen, Colorado. Their older daughter, Valerie May Snyder, was the only survivor of the trip, as she had returned home earlier in the day by commercial airline. In the same crash, Valerie lost her husband, father, bother, and only sister.

Stephanie is survived by her daughter Valerie May Smith, son-in-law Roger McConnel Smith, and grandchildren and great grandchildren Stephanie May Shelby, and husband Jeff Shelby; their children, twin boys Jackson Hall Shelby and Stryker Hall Shelby, and twin girls Emily Elizabeth Shelby and Lillian Lance Shelby. Granddaughter Elizabeth Erin Grady and husband Cody Grady. Their children Tatum Blaine Grady, William McConnel Grady, and Wyatt Major Grady. Granddaughter Peyton Ambrose Paschall, grandsons Colton Storm Smith, and Davin McRae Smith.

On August 28, 1983, Stephanie married attorney, Walter H. Magee. Walter died April 1, 1986.

Eighteen years later, she married Sen. James K. Wade, of Dallas. Jim died of cancer on May 6, 2006.

Seven years later, she married the wonderful, Robert Gerald Cox on February 14, 2013. Bob died December 23, 2014.

Stephanie has many loving stepchildren: Walt and Celia Magee, Mark Magee, Rex and Mary Magee, Kirk and Laura Wade, Bart and Mary Sue Wade, Chris Bartlett, Marty Cox, Bob Cox, John Cox, Pat and Kathleen Cox, and Marlene Cox, and step-grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren.

She published three books: Lovin’ the Kitchen, Heavenly Temptations, In God’s Hands, and one unpublished, Tempted Again. Creating and building custom candy houses (Castles of Distinction) was her passion for over fifty years. She gave the “Castles” to charities and auctions.

She volunteered many hours with various organizations. In 198,0 she chaired the opening of the remodeled Adolphus Hotel. Stephanie traveled with Campus Crusade as an inspirational speaker. She was past or present member of the following: Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Country Club, Dallas Petroleum Club, Dallas Junior League, Energy Club, and Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She served on the board of St. Paul Foundation Board of Trustees, Timberlawn Psychiatric Research Foundation Board of Trustees, Cornerstone Bank Board, May Petroleum, Inc., Board of Directors, and Hall Financial Group, Board Emeritus. She served as Past President of the following: The Heritage Club, The Village Gardeners, The S.O.S. Investment Club, Bradfield PTA, and Vice President of Dallas Woman’s Club.

A celebration of her life will be held on November 8, 2020, at 2pm at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. There will be live streaming for those that can’t attend.