Rev. Dr. Henry May, Jr.

Reverend Dr Henry E May Jr passed into the arms of his savior on Friday October 18, 2019. Henry was born in Forsyth County on April 29, 1932 to H.E. May Sr and Martha Todd May. He was preceded in death by his wife; Bobbie Jean May, his son; John May, and his grandson’s; John Henry May and Christopher David Sidden. He is survived by his sister; Joan Cress, his children; Elmon May Sr, Peter T. May , Mary M Sidden (Chris Sidden) , his grandchildren; Elizabeth Schaefer (Joshua Schaefer), Elmon May Jr, Stella May, Emma May, Emily Sidden, Grace May, Rachel May, and his great grandchildren; Cailen, Christopher, Micah, and Clementine. He had numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews as well.   He cherished his entire family.

Dr. Henry E. May, received his BA from Moravian College, his M.Div. from Moravian Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Duke University School of Divinity, and a D.Min. from Southeastern Theological Seminary. Henry spent most of his adult life serving the Lord in his community, his church families, and local ministries in which was acknowledged by receiving the distinguished Haupert Humanitarian Award in 2006. The Haupert Humanitarian Award honors an alumna or alumnus who has rendered outstanding service in the cause of human welfare. He matriculated during the years when the spirit of the man for whom this award is named pervaded Moravian’s campus.  Henry's life has reflected that spirit. A consummate leader in the Moravian church and its colleges, he has exerted a life-long influence of equal or greater significance upon the broader community and the lives of the people in the geographic areas where he has served. Something of a Renaissance man, Henry has displayed his many abilities through public leadership positions, initiation of needed service for the neglected and forgotten, exercise of civilian service, and in such tangible matters as repairing peoples' cars, hauling food/firewood to homes, and providing transportation for the elderly during inclement weather. When there was no one else to turn to, many human services staff members would call Henry May. He is the founder and guiding spirit of Sunnyside Ministry services for the needy, a ministry continuing today as the social outreach arm of the Moravian Church, Southern Province. As chaplain of the Winston-Salem Police Department, he formed the Prison Ministry and was honored by NC Governor James B. Martin for this work. As chair of the Forsyth Stokes Mental Health Board, the Forsyth DSS recognized him for his work in welfare reform. He received the Distinguished Service Award from Forsyth County Council of Older Adults and was recognized as National Chaplain of the Year for his service in the US Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol as a chaplain and mission pilot. Henry has also served on 15 community boards, numerous denominational boards, and the Board of Trustees of Moravian College.  He is a credit to that commitment to community service which Moravian counts as one of its core values.

At Henry’s request, the family will have a private graveside service on Monday, October 21, 2019. The Rev. Chris Thore will lead the service. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Henry’s request, please make any donations to Anthony’s Plot of 2323 Sunnyside Ave WS, NC or Trellis Supportive Care (formerly Hospice of NC).