Betty (Brown) May

Bennettsville, SC

Betty Brown May, 96, former resident of Bennettsville, SC and Scotia Village, Laurinburg, NC, died peacefully at Scotia Village on September 9, 2023.

A daughter of the late Julian David Brown and the late Eunice Huggins Brown, Betty was born on October 10, 1926, at Ard's Crossroads, near Hemingway, SC.

In her teens, Betty participated in Methodist Church youth caravans, which travelled to church locations in other states to work with church youth.

After earning an education degree from the University of South Carolina, Betty began work as Youth Director of First Methodist Church in Bennettsville in 1948.

Betty and Dr. John May were married in 1949. During their 69 years of marriage, they often enjoyed travel, visiting countries around the world. Betty was active in the church for many years, participating in adult choir, teaching elementary Sunday school, and working with church children's choirs.

She was also active in the Bennettsville Music club, was an alto member of the vocal group Lawrence and Company and directed a musical for the Marlboro Players. She enjoyed organizing and participating in church and community events.

Betty was known for her determination, and to no one's surprise, qualified to be a private pilot in the 1960's. She often flew to Hemingway to visit her parents, and brothers JD Brown and Merrill Brown, who were also pilots.

She enjoyed spending time in summer at Lake Junaluska, NC Methodist Assembly, golfing and paddling her Poke boat on the lake, defying the swans to harass her.

In all that she did, she did to the best of her ability, and expected the same of everyone.

Betty is survived by a sister, Kathleen Brown Rogers, daughters Penny Nobles (John), Patty Long (Kevin), grandchildren Caitlin Horne (John), Erin Nobles, Philip Nobles, Katherine Colston (Kyle), Keanan Long (Samantha) and 7 great grandchildren.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at McCall Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Methodist of Bennettsville, P.O. Box 456, Bennettsville, SC 29512.

Online condolences may be made at www.bfhbennettsville.com.

Burroughs Funeral Home is honored to assist the May family.

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