Gladys Burley May

AIKEN - Gladys Burley May passed away at her residence, HarborChase of Aiken, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. She was born on March 3, 1919 in Philadelphia, PA, and lived most of her life in Washington D.C. and Bethesda, MD. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Booker May III (Bud), and her daughter, Jane May Jones. Gladys graduated from Eastern High School and the Washington School for Secretaries. She worked briefly for the Standard Oil Corporation before marrying and raising her family. Gladys taught preschool for several years in Bethesda, and was later a secretary to J. W. Marriott. After moving to Aiken, she was an occasional substitute teacher at the Mead Hall Episcopal School. Gladys and Bud enjoyed travel. They cruised to Europe and to Africa. They explored the Colorado Rockies, and the Florida beaches. In her later years, Gladys loved to read, to keep in contact with her friends and family with visits and by phone, and she loved her Zumba classes with Bonnie. She also gave a loving home to many stray dogs and cats. She is survived by her daughters Jean May Geiger (John), and Joan May Harden (Rick), and by grandsons Eric Jones, Michael Townshend, Jim Jones, Warren Geiger, Bill Harden and Jack Harden, and granddaughters Melanie Geiger Legamaro and Gray Harden Raniella, and by 15 great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and she was very proud of her family. The family wishes to thank the staff of HarborChase of Aiken, Trinity on Laurens, and Regency Hospice for many years of kind caring, and to Frankie Lambright for her loving friendship. Service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the SPCA Albrecht Center, P. O. Box 769, Aiken, SC 29802. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Gladys’ online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gladys Burley May, please visit our flower store.