Lelia S. May, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at the caring community at Atria Park at Lake Forest in Sanford, Florida.

She was born in Winchester, Kentucky on October 7, 1921 to Oliver F. and Lelia (Curtis) Shearer. She was the 4th youngest of the five boys and five girls born to that family. She married 2nd Lieutenant Roy Russell May, Jr., Winchester, Kentucky, upon his graduation from the University of Kentucky on August 12, 1942. Thus began a 32-year Army career which would take them to Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and several installations in the United States. Colonel and Mrs. May retired from Army life at Fort Benning, Georgia in June 1974 and moved to Clearwater. Florida where they both enjoyed golf and living on the water.

Colonel (retired) Roy R. May, Jr., preceded her in death.

She had a passion for golf, but also enjoyed bowling, bike-riding and walking. She played golf at every military installation where they served and won many trophies. She only had one hole-in-one in that long career at the 12th hole of the West Course at Belleair Country Club on April 6, 1993. She and her daughter, Connie, won the women’s member guest tournament at Belleair Country Club in 2007 when Lelia was 86 years of age.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna (Doug) Hamilton of Paintsville, KY; and Connie (DeLloyd) Voorhees of Sanford, FL; two grandchildren, Christi (Shannon) Hamilton Smith of Paintsville, KY and Russell Douglas Hamilton of Richmond, KY and four great grandchildren, Courtney and Chaz Smith and Lelia and Karlee Hamilton.

Lelia was preceded in death by her parents and her nine brothers and sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am, January 16, 2019 at Baldwin Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel, located at 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, FL 32771. Her family and friends will miss her love and kindness.