Oramae May

Ora Mae Bishop May was an awesome person, a fantastic mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 91 years old.  She was born the youngest of 8 children on January 11, 1929 in Delta, Utah, to John Avery and Lemira Walker Bishop.  She had lived 40 years after her husband, Richard J. May, passed away in Overton, Nevada.
She was revered by her large posterity of 245.  She was loved by the community: having received numerous awards in music, teaching and community service. She taught for 23 years and was known for her legendary famous candy trains. She once served as the Grand Marshall of the homecoming parade.  She is most remembered for her tireless service to anyone in need, or not in need. Every year at Christmas time she made hundreds of dozens of donuts and took them around to people in the community as a Christmas gift, with her best wishes.  Countless loaves of bread were given in her lifetime.  Each time she needed a pick me up she would make bread and deliver it to people.
She served faithfully through the years in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in various ward and stake callings.  She served her first mission was served at the age of 19 with special permission from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her second mission was served  in historic Nauvoo, Illinois.
She was well known for playing her xylophone, which she received from her parents when she was 12 years old. That same xylophone went to Nauvoo with her at 80 years old, and was played several times in performances every day. Ora Mae loved music. She never wavered in her faith or testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and taught those principles to each of her 9 children.
Having been raised by wonderful parents during the depression years, she was always grateful for everything she had and everything people did for her. Her constant gratitude made up a large part of the happiness and joy she always expressed throughout her life.  It was difficult to find Ora Mae without a smile on her face, or without someting she was doing for others.  We will miss her greatly, but we are also very excited to have her finally reunited with her husband, Richard.
Ora Mae is survived by her nine children: Dennis (Arlene) of Fountain Green , UT; MarJean (Tom) Harris of St. George, UT; David (Becky) of Overton, NV; Kathleen (Pat) Brady of Overton, NV; Sharon (Nolan) Johnson of Green River, UT; Diane (Tim) Olds of Washington, UT; Keith (Kim) of New River, AZ; Kevin (Leslie) of Moapa, NV; Janett (Sidney) Bradshaw of Beaver, UT; 52 grandchildren and 133 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Richard J. May and her great grandchild, Emma Mortensen.
Funeral services will be for family only, but there will be a public viewing for those wanting to pay their last respects at the Moapa Valley Mortuary, Sunday, December 13 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  The services will be live-streamed on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 11 a.m., with a link found at www.moapavalleymortuary.com/obituaries/OraMae-May
Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.MoapaValleyMortuary.com