Tributes

SEMUEL WALDO MAY, JR. was born on October 24, 1925, the third and youngest child of the late Semuel Waldo May, Sr. and Hattie Evelyn Connally May. Semuel spent his formative years in East Baltimore, where he received his education in the public schools graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Semuel also attended Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) for two years. Semuel’s entire family were members of First Baptist Church. Semuel joined First Baptist at age 12. His lifelong Christian journey was as a faithful member of First Baptist which continued until our Lord called him home on Thursday, June 16, 2022. In early 1943, Semuel was drafted into the military. He served as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. Semuel was honored that his name was memorialized on a plaque along with the names of all of the sons of First Baptist Church who served in the armed forces during WWII. The plaque is still on display in the entrance to the main sanctuary of FBC. After his military service concluded, Semuel worked for the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, a job he held for 15 years. His next employment was as a Constable for the Peoples Court for Baltimore City. Semuel and one other African-American were hired simultaneously and became the first Black Constables in Baltimore City. Later, the Peoples Court merged with the District Court system for the State of Maryland. He retired after 28 years of service. On June 19, 1947, Semuel married the late Gladys Ernestine Williams, daughter of the late Rev. V.T. Williams, who at that time was the Pastor of First Baptist Church. In May 1948 a son, V. Eric Williams May was born. The marriage ended in divorce. In the early 1950’s Semuel met Audrey Winfred Stubbs. On June 24, 1953, they were married at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Reginald Daniels. On March 28, 1957 Stuart Eliot May was born. At the time of Audrey’s death on January 24, 2019, Semuel and Audrey had been married over 65 years. Semuel is survived by: his two sons, V. Eric Williams May Sr. and wife Sharon Angela Harper May of Reisterstown, MD and Stuart Eliot May and wife Pia Sigrid Treadwell May of Morehead City, NC; grandchildren, V. Eric Williams May, Jr. and wife Carolyn Lester May of Joppa, MD, Melyssa Ellen May and husband Paul Moore of Raleigh, NC, and Raychel Erika May of Wilmington, NC; two greatgrandchildren, Kimberly Melissa May and Carsen Joseph May both of Joppa, MD; niece, Weslie Susan Stubbs Robinson and husband Earl Robinson of Atlanta, GA; nephew, Steven Connally Gordon of Jonesboro, GA; many other relatives and friends. Semuel was preceded in death by his wife Audrey Winfred Stubbs May, parents Semuel W. May, Sr. and Hattie Evelyn Connally May, sisters Cliffereda Connally May Tull and Delma Oteyl May Gordon, and granddaughter Kimberly Erica May. Always the center of attention with his tales of a bygone era, knowledge of events and the current political scene, and crooning melodies straight from the classic American song book, Semuel aka “Uncle Benny”, “Grandpop” and “Big G” will be missed. Words alone cannot adequately express the caring, devotion, commitment, sacrifice, and the love that Semuel demonstrated throughout his life for his family, friends and community.

Tributes

Semuel Waldo May Jr.

October 24, 1925 - June 16, 2022