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John Henry May

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Birth	:	10 Mar 1922
Death	:	16 Mar 2021
Burial	:	Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.8208008, -78.2701035
Description	:	John Henry May, 99, of Carysbrook, Virginia entered eternal life March 16, 2021. He survived his wife of 68 years Mary Elizabeth Melton May by less than three months. The son of James Franklin May, Sr. and Sarah Jennie Garner May, he also survived five brothers and sisters: Mary Frances Blodgett, Sarah Josephine Marshall, James Franklin May, Jr., Minnie Lee McGehee and Samuel Stanley May. He was loved and respected by four generations of nieces and nephews, both by blood and by marriage. He lived most of his life on the farm on which he was born and was a... Read More	John Henry May, 99, of Carysbrook, Virginia entered eternal life March 16, 2021. He survived his wife of 68 years Mary Elizabeth Melton May by less than three months. The son of James Franklin May, Sr. and Sarah Jennie Garner May, he also survived five brothers and sisters: Mary Frances Blodgett, Sarah Josephine Marshall, James Franklin May, Jr., Minnie Lee McGehee and Samuel Stanley May. He was loved and respected by four generations of nieces and nephews, both by blood and by marriage. He lived most of his life on the farm on which he was born and was a life-long member of Bethel Baptist Church, where he was Sunday school teacher and Deacon Emeritus. He attended Carysbrook School and Judy Creek School and graduated from Fluvanna County High School. John farmed with his father after high school. Later, he worked at the Bremo Power Plant and Fork Union Military Academy. He apprenticed as a plumber in Saint Petersburg, Florida. After returning to Fluvanna County, he worked as a plumber and electrician, first for himself and then for Monroe Johnson. He represented the Fork Union District on the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors from 1975 to 1979. John collected horse-drawn farm equipment and other antique farm and blacksmith tools for many decades. A natural teacher, he wanted to demonstrate the history of the agriculture that had shaped his rural community and the nation. He wanted people to see how hard farmers had worked, but also to see the constant innovation that went into advancements in farm equipment, particularly in the past 200 years. In 1995 John and others started Fluvanna Old Farm Day, a celebration of rural life and history, that became a popular annual event at Pleasant Grove Park. He enjoyed working with the other volunteers and founders of the event, including Ellen Miyagawa, Frank, Ruby and Glenn Schumaker, Monroe Johnson, Bob Lanford and H. T. Morris. Some of the highlights of Old Farm Day were demonstrations of horse-drawn plowing and horse-powered treadmills and sorghum mills, and tractor powered milling as well as cider making, blacksmithing, spinning, etc. John donated select pieces from his collection of antique farm equipment to the Fluvanna Farm Heritage Museum, a permanent exhibit of equipment donated by Fluvanna farmers. David Frazier led a team to restore the equipment. The museum building at Pleasant Grove, was funded by the Fluvanna County Historical Society, Old Farm Day, and many donors. John and Mary Beth enjoyed traveling to sightsee or to visit with relatives. John loved to tell stories, enjoyed helping friends and relatives with building projects, and was never happier than when he was making molasses or attending auctions and farm shows with his friends. The family is especially grateful to Dr. Randolph Lanford, Sheila Melton and Nancy Knight. A graveside service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, at 2:00 on Sunday, March 21. Please plan to wear a mask. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, consider Bethel Baptist Church, 227 Bethel Church Rd., Palmyra, VA or The Fluvanna Farm Heritage Museum c/o The Fluvanna Historical Society, Box 8, Palmyra, VA 22963.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Henry May's memorial?
John Henry May's memorial is located at: Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA.
When did John Henry May death?
John Henry May death on 16 Mar 2021 in
Where are the coordinates of the John Henry May's memorial?
Latitude: 37.8208008
Longitude: -78.2701035

Family Members:

Parent

James Franklin May Sr.

(1868 - 1954)

Sarah Jennie Garner May

(1885 - 1977)

Spouse

Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” Melton May

(1929 - 2020)

Siblings

Mary Frances May Blodgett

(1915 - 1979)

James Franklin May Jr.

(1919 - 2008)

Minnie Lee May McGehee

(1924 - 2019)

Samuel Stanley May

(1926 - 1959)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8208008, -78.2701035

2. Anderson Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8346690, -78.2657390

3. Bowles Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8107820, -78.2878940

4. Loving Family Cemetery
Carysbrook, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8120600, -78.2504830

5. Johnson-Davis Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8389200, -78.2722400

6. Clements-Payne Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8352300, -78.2859500

7. Payne - Winn Cemetery
Paynes Mill, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8015330, -78.2661680

8. Perkins Farm Cemetery
Carysbrook, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8078800, -78.2483500

9. Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8317350, -78.2997210

10. Shepherd Family Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8474170, -78.2764170

11. Perkins Cemetery
Carysbrook, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8055590, -78.2338860

12. Chinquapin Hill Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8526350, -78.2594890

13. Gay Family Cemetery
Dixie, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7959130, -78.2414080

14. Carter Family Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8498540, -78.2922260

15. Dennis Cemetery
Fork Union, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7846100, -78.2695670

16. Pleasure Hill Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8550600, -78.2854500

17. Jones Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8423870, -78.3076200

18. Wills Family Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8579300, -78.2705660

19. Hughes Cemetery
Carysbrook, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7874480, -78.2914940

20. Whitlow Cemetery
Fork Union, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7828720, -78.2718520

21. Fluvanna Heritage Trail Graveyard
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8597200, -78.2691600

22. Gray Family Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8593030, -78.2574600

23. Joab King Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8571030, -78.2457770

24. Payne - Brown Cemetery
Palmyra, Fluvanna County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8544130, -78.2392780