MR. ARTHUR MAY JR.'s Obituary
Reflections of an Amazing Life
On Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at approximately 4:30 a.m., after a long illness, the earthbound physical life of Arthur May Jr. came quietly to an end.
Arthur May Jr. was born July 23, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama. His parents were the late Arthur Sr. and Bertha May. When Arthur was a young boy he and his family relocated from Birmingham to the north end of Detroit. There he was enrolled in the Detroit Public School System.
In 1945, the family moved again to Ecorse. There Arthur Jr attended Ecorse High School where he excelled as a student-athlete as a member of the track team. His events were the half-mile, high jump, broad jump, and high and low hurdles. His team ranked #3 in the State! Arthur Jr. also played on the basketball team as the center.
In 1947, Arthur Jr. received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and united with First Missionary Baptist Church of Ecorse under the Pastorage of the late Rev. Joe Davis. He participated in BYBU and immediately joined the Junior Usher Board and had been a doorkeeper for the Lord, serving in the Usher Board No. 2 Ministry ever since.
Arthur May Jr. served in the U.S. Army from 1951 – 1953 during the Korean War. He shined as a talented athlete there also, participating in the U.S. Army Special Services Track Team. After his honorable discharge in February of 1953, Arthur Jr married his one true love – Helen Thomas on June 20, 1953.
While raising their family in Ecorse, Arthur Jr. worked for Swayzer Brothers for 18 years until they closed in 1965. He then began employment with Ecorse Public Schools where he remained for 28 years, retiring in 1992.
Arthur May Jr. enjoyed playing cards; bid whisk, spades and bridge, at Kemeny Center in River Rouge, and the Trenton Senior Center. Arthur Jr. was an avid and strategic card player who thoroughly enjoyed the competition of the games.
Preceding him in death are his parents; Arthur Sr. and Bertha, his sister Elizabeth and grandson George III (Trey).
Arthur May Jr. leaves to cherish his precious memory; his loving children; Deborah May, Neatrice (Nikki) Jackson (George), Sheila Findley, Arthur May III, and Marsha May. His doting grandchildren; Terrance Findley (Muminah), Charisa McCool (Thomas), De’Andre Satterwhite and Michael Findley. His precious great-grandchildren; Charea McCool, Chaise McCool, Chance McCool and Brielle Satterwhite. His cousin Charles Alexander, his special caregiver Mercedez Allen, and a host of amazing nieces and nephews, wonderful cousins, and special friends.
What’s your fondest memory of ARTHUR?
What’s a lesson you learned from ARTHUR?
Share a story where ARTHUR's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with ARTHUR you’ll never forget.
How did ARTHUR make you smile?
