From FIRST 100 YEARS NOLAN COUNTY TEXAS, Page 281-282 (published 1986 by the Nolan County Genealogical Society):
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE O. MAY
George Oliver May, son of Mr. and Mrs. George w. May, was born in Bosque County, Texas, on October 31, 1886. His parents were born in Tennessee and moved to Texas in 1872. They moved to Haskell County in 1904. Leta Pearl Miller was born on August 5, 1888, in Texas.
George O. and Leta Pearl married December 24, 1907. They lived in Rule, Texas, in a two-room house on the Doss farm. Their first child, Mildred, was born on October 4, 1908, in this house. Dr. Rogers was the attending physician. The couple then moved to Knox City where Christine was born on October 11, 1911. They later moved to Munday where John Raymond was born on March 12, 1914. The couple then moved to Rule where they lived until they bought a farm in Scurry County for nineteen dollars an acre. (Thomas May, a grandson, is currently farming the land.) While in Rule, George owned part of May Grocery-Hardware. Annetta was born on August 10, 1916, and S. J. was born April 21, 1919, in Rule. George W. (Bill) was born December 11, 1921, and Aubrey Joe was born October 28, 1924, in Scurry County.
In the spring of 1925, Pearl wanted to move to town so her children could get an education. The family rented the house at 201 East Arkansas while they built their home at 401 Hailey Street. The family moved into this house on December 14, 1925. At the time, Hailey Street was not paved, and cows were brought down the road on the way to the Santa Fe Railroad. Pearl had a hard time trying to start a yard and have flower gardens as much of her time was spent beating cows out of the front yard. Some of the surrounding neighbors were the Paynes, Colts, Dr. Dudgeon, and the Bondies. Thomas L. (Pete), their last child, was born in this house on September 29, 1927.
All of their children helped farm in Scurry County while they were growing up. Bill relates a very amusing story about growing up on a farm. When he was eight years old, he was plowing the field with mules and a go-devil, and he decided that there had to be a faster way to get the job done. He was having a good time running the mules when George got back from town in his 1923 black Dodge. George cut right across that cotton patch in his car, and Bill says he no longer had a desire to run the mules.
George was working as a carpenter with Jack Fulchum. They were building new homes and doing repairs. George built many of the houses of Pine and Cedar Streets. George and his brother-in-law, J. B. Henderson, built the Palava School and subcontracted the West Ward (J.P. Cowen) School.
George and Pearl's children went to elementary school at East Ward, which was one block from their home. Joe got into trouble many times at recess. Because the temptation was just too great, he would go home to play with Pete instead of staying at school.
When the family moved into the house on Hailey Street, Sweetwater did not have natural gas. The family used a kerosene hot water heater, wood cook stove, coal heaters, and a fireplace for heating purposes. As soon as Sweetwater had natural gas, Pearl got a new cook stove with legs. Some of the most memorable moments for the children were times spent feather pillow fighting in the long dark hallway of this house while Pearl was gone to town. Mildred was left to clean up the mess before her mother returned home.
In 1931, during the depression, the Mays moved back to the May Farm in Scurry County. They kept the house in town, and Bill and S. J. came into town and sold the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Abilene Reporter, Sweetwater Reporter, and Dallas Morning news at the post office on weekends. When Joe and Pete became older, they also sold newspapers at the post office. The May boys had the Star Telegram Agency in Sweetwater for many years.
Pearl always brought her family back to town for Christmas. The boys would get a tree from south of town and cut wooden ornaments, and the family would paint them. George and Pearl would have someone come dressed in a Santa Claus suit on Christmas Eve to deliver the presents so there would not be such a big mess on Christmas morning.
The family moved back to town in 1933 and lived there until 1945, when they sold their house to R. C. Dill, a school teacher. They moved back to the farm and lived there until 1950, when they built a new home in Sweetwater on the corner of 4th and Crane where Bill and Bettye May now reside. George and Pearl celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 24, 1957, with family and friends in this home.
Pearl was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater as was her mother, Mrs. Martha (Mattie) Miller. Mrs. Miller at one time taught the TEL Sunday School Class. Pearl has two sons, Bill and Pete May; two grandsons, Larry and Walt May; and two great-grandsons, Steven and Mark May, who are still members of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater.
Four of the children served in the armed forces in the forties. S. J. and Bill served in the Air Force, Joe in the Navy and Pete in the Army.
Bill and S. J. are responsible for many of the houses in Sweetwater. They opened May Brothers Lumber Yard at 1507 Lamar in 1947. They purchased the Monticello addition from Jane Woodruff Hoyt in January 1956 and started developing this area.
Mildred married Frank Andrews on June 1, 1931, and they live on a ranch near Albany, Texas. They have two children, Patsy and Frank, and six grandchildren.
Christine married Wayne Rogers in 1931. He died in 1977. They have two children, Frank and Lou Wayne, and three grandchildren. Christine continues to live on their farm in Scurry County near Snyder, Texas.
Raymond married Annett Pittman in 1935, and they live in Snyder. They have two children, Donald Joe and Ramona, and five grandchildren.
Annetta married Nelson Mitchell in 1940. He died January 1, 1982. They have one son, David, and three grandchildren. Annetta lives in Bedford, Texas.
S. J. and his former wife, Gracie Craig, have three children - Betty, Jay and Peggy - and give grandchildren. S. J. was elected to the Sweetwater City Commission in 1957 and served four years. Three of those years were served as Mayor of Sweetwater. S. J. now resides at Oak Creek Lake.
Bill married Bettye Brown on October 1, 1951. They have two children, Walt and Caye, and one grandson. Walt lives here in Sweetwater with his wife, Kerrie. He owns and operates Sweetwater Equipment Sales. Bill and Bettye reside in Sweetwater at 510 East 4th.
Joe married Modelle McClure on November 15, 1946. They taught school at Highland from 1961 to 1970 and are presently teaching in Snyder. They currently reside in Hermleigh, Texas. They have two children, Janis and Thomas, and one grandson.
Pete married Clydelle Lewis on June 23, 1950. He is a roofing contractor in Sweetwater. He built the first house on Corral Street in the Mustang addition in 1957 and built one of the first houses in the Town & Country addition in 1963 where they still reside. They have three children - Cindy, Larry and Dwayne - and six grandchildren. Their son, Dwayne, lives at home and is a senior at Sweetwater High School. Larry lives in Sweetwater with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Steven and Mark. Larry is a CPA with the firm of Harris, Williams & May and is currently a Sweetwater City Commissioner.
Pearl May died May 9, 1i965, at the age of 76, and George Oliver May died on February 21, 1978, at the age of 92. This family has contributed immeasurably to the grown and development of this community. Their descendants can justly be proud of their heritage.
* * * * * *
NOLAN COUNTY DEATH CERTIFICATE
Name: Leta Pearl May
Death Date: 09 May 1965
Death Place: Simmons Memorial Hospital, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cause of death: Arteriosclerotic heart disease with decompensation
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 76 years
Birth Date: 05 Aug 1888
Birthplace: Ellis County, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: J.T. Miller
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Martha Duke
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: 510 E. 4th, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cemetery: Garden of Memories
Burial Place: Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Burial Date: 10 May 1965
Informant: George W. May
Film Number: 2117755
Digital Film Number: 4028299
Image Number: 3125
Reference Number: cn32427
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
* * * * * *
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE O. MAY
George Oliver May, son of Mr. and Mrs. George w. May, was born in Bosque County, Texas, on October 31, 1886. His parents were born in Tennessee and moved to Texas in 1872. They moved to Haskell County in 1904. Leta Pearl Miller was born on August 5, 1888, in Texas.
George O. and Leta Pearl married December 24, 1907. They lived in Rule, Texas, in a two-room house on the Doss farm. Their first child, Mildred, was born on October 4, 1908, in this house. Dr. Rogers was the attending physician. The couple then moved to Knox City where Christine was born on October 11, 1911. They later moved to Munday where John Raymond was born on March 12, 1914. The couple then moved to Rule where they lived until they bought a farm in Scurry County for nineteen dollars an acre. (Thomas May, a grandson, is currently farming the land.) While in Rule, George owned part of May Grocery-Hardware. Annetta was born on August 10, 1916, and S. J. was born April 21, 1919, in Rule. George W. (Bill) was born December 11, 1921, and Aubrey Joe was born October 28, 1924, in Scurry County.
In the spring of 1925, Pearl wanted to move to town so her children could get an education. The family rented the house at 201 East Arkansas while they built their home at 401 Hailey Street. The family moved into this house on December 14, 1925. At the time, Hailey Street was not paved, and cows were brought down the road on the way to the Santa Fe Railroad. Pearl had a hard time trying to start a yard and have flower gardens as much of her time was spent beating cows out of the front yard. Some of the surrounding neighbors were the Paynes, Colts, Dr. Dudgeon, and the Bondies. Thomas L. (Pete), their last child, was born in this house on September 29, 1927.
All of their children helped farm in Scurry County while they were growing up. Bill relates a very amusing story about growing up on a farm. When he was eight years old, he was plowing the field with mules and a go-devil, and he decided that there had to be a faster way to get the job done. He was having a good time running the mules when George got back from town in his 1923 black Dodge. George cut right across that cotton patch in his car, and Bill says he no longer had a desire to run the mules.
George was working as a carpenter with Jack Fulchum. They were building new homes and doing repairs. George built many of the houses of Pine and Cedar Streets. George and his brother-in-law, J. B. Henderson, built the Palava School and subcontracted the West Ward (J.P. Cowen) School.
George and Pearl's children went to elementary school at East Ward, which was one block from their home. Joe got into trouble many times at recess. Because the temptation was just too great, he would go home to play with Pete instead of staying at school.
When the family moved into the house on Hailey Street, Sweetwater did not have natural gas. The family used a kerosene hot water heater, wood cook stove, coal heaters, and a fireplace for heating purposes. As soon as Sweetwater had natural gas, Pearl got a new cook stove with legs. Some of the most memorable moments for the children were times spent feather pillow fighting in the long dark hallway of this house while Pearl was gone to town. Mildred was left to clean up the mess before her mother returned home.
In 1931, during the depression, the Mays moved back to the May Farm in Scurry County. They kept the house in town, and Bill and S. J. came into town and sold the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Abilene Reporter, Sweetwater Reporter, and Dallas Morning news at the post office on weekends. When Joe and Pete became older, they also sold newspapers at the post office. The May boys had the Star Telegram Agency in Sweetwater for many years.
Pearl always brought her family back to town for Christmas. The boys would get a tree from south of town and cut wooden ornaments, and the family would paint them. George and Pearl would have someone come dressed in a Santa Claus suit on Christmas Eve to deliver the presents so there would not be such a big mess on Christmas morning.
The family moved back to town in 1933 and lived there until 1945, when they sold their house to R. C. Dill, a school teacher. They moved back to the farm and lived there until 1950, when they built a new home in Sweetwater on the corner of 4th and Crane where Bill and Bettye May now reside. George and Pearl celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 24, 1957, with family and friends in this home.
Pearl was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater as was her mother, Mrs. Martha (Mattie) Miller. Mrs. Miller at one time taught the TEL Sunday School Class. Pearl has two sons, Bill and Pete May; two grandsons, Larry and Walt May; and two great-grandsons, Steven and Mark May, who are still members of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater.
Four of the children served in the armed forces in the forties. S. J. and Bill served in the Air Force, Joe in the Navy and Pete in the Army.
Bill and S. J. are responsible for many of the houses in Sweetwater. They opened May Brothers Lumber Yard at 1507 Lamar in 1947. They purchased the Monticello addition from Jane Woodruff Hoyt in January 1956 and started developing this area.
Mildred married Frank Andrews on June 1, 1931, and they live on a ranch near Albany, Texas. They have two children, Patsy and Frank, and six grandchildren.
Christine married Wayne Rogers in 1931. He died in 1977. They have two children, Frank and Lou Wayne, and three grandchildren. Christine continues to live on their farm in Scurry County near Snyder, Texas.
Raymond married Annett Pittman in 1935, and they live in Snyder. They have two children, Donald Joe and Ramona, and five grandchildren.
Annetta married Nelson Mitchell in 1940. He died January 1, 1982. They have one son, David, and three grandchildren. Annetta lives in Bedford, Texas.
S. J. and his former wife, Gracie Craig, have three children - Betty, Jay and Peggy - and give grandchildren. S. J. was elected to the Sweetwater City Commission in 1957 and served four years. Three of those years were served as Mayor of Sweetwater. S. J. now resides at Oak Creek Lake.
Bill married Bettye Brown on October 1, 1951. They have two children, Walt and Caye, and one grandson. Walt lives here in Sweetwater with his wife, Kerrie. He owns and operates Sweetwater Equipment Sales. Bill and Bettye reside in Sweetwater at 510 East 4th.
Joe married Modelle McClure on November 15, 1946. They taught school at Highland from 1961 to 1970 and are presently teaching in Snyder. They currently reside in Hermleigh, Texas. They have two children, Janis and Thomas, and one grandson.
Pete married Clydelle Lewis on June 23, 1950. He is a roofing contractor in Sweetwater. He built the first house on Corral Street in the Mustang addition in 1957 and built one of the first houses in the Town & Country addition in 1963 where they still reside. They have three children - Cindy, Larry and Dwayne - and six grandchildren. Their son, Dwayne, lives at home and is a senior at Sweetwater High School. Larry lives in Sweetwater with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Steven and Mark. Larry is a CPA with the firm of Harris, Williams & May and is currently a Sweetwater City Commissioner.
Pearl May died May 9, 1i965, at the age of 76, and George Oliver May died on February 21, 1978, at the age of 92. This family has contributed immeasurably to the grown and development of this community. Their descendants can justly be proud of their heritage.
* * * * * *
NOLAN COUNTY DEATH CERTIFICATE
Name: Leta Pearl May
Death Date: 09 May 1965
Death Place: Simmons Memorial Hospital, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cause of death: Arteriosclerotic heart disease with decompensation
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 76 years
Birth Date: 05 Aug 1888
Birthplace: Ellis County, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: J.T. Miller
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Martha Duke
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: 510 E. 4th, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cemetery: Garden of Memories
Burial Place: Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Burial Date: 10 May 1965
Informant: George W. May
Film Number: 2117755
Digital Film Number: 4028299
Image Number: 3125
Reference Number: cn32427
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
* * * * * *
From FIRST 100 YEARS NOLAN COUNTY TEXAS, Page 281-282 (published 1986 by the Nolan County Genealogical Society):
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE O. MAY
George Oliver May, son of Mr. and Mrs. George w. May, was born in Bosque County, Texas, on October 31, 1886. His parents were born in Tennessee and moved to Texas in 1872. They moved to Haskell County in 1904. Leta Pearl Miller was born on August 5, 1888, in Texas.
George O. and Leta Pearl married December 24, 1907. They lived in Rule, Texas, in a two-room house on the Doss farm. Their first child, Mildred, was born on October 4, 1908, in this house. Dr. Rogers was the attending physician. The couple then moved to Knox City where Christine was born on October 11, 1911. They later moved to Munday where John Raymond was born on March 12, 1914. The couple then moved to Rule where they lived until they bought a farm in Scurry County for nineteen dollars an acre. (Thomas May, a grandson, is currently farming the land.) While in Rule, George owned part of May Grocery-Hardware. Annetta was born on August 10, 1916, and S. J. was born April 21, 1919, in Rule. George W. (Bill) was born December 11, 1921, and Aubrey Joe was born October 28, 1924, in Scurry County.
In the spring of 1925, Pearl wanted to move to town so her children could get an education. The family rented the house at 201 East Arkansas while they built their home at 401 Hailey Street. The family moved into this house on December 14, 1925. At the time, Hailey Street was not paved, and cows were brought down the road on the way to the Santa Fe Railroad. Pearl had a hard time trying to start a yard and have flower gardens as much of her time was spent beating cows out of the front yard. Some of the surrounding neighbors were the Paynes, Colts, Dr. Dudgeon, and the Bondies. Thomas L. (Pete), their last child, was born in this house on September 29, 1927.
All of their children helped farm in Scurry County while they were growing up. Bill relates a very amusing story about growing up on a farm. When he was eight years old, he was plowing the field with mules and a go-devil, and he decided that there had to be a faster way to get the job done. He was having a good time running the mules when George got back from town in his 1923 black Dodge. George cut right across that cotton patch in his car, and Bill says he no longer had a desire to run the mules.
George was working as a carpenter with Jack Fulchum. They were building new homes and doing repairs. George built many of the houses of Pine and Cedar Streets. George and his brother-in-law, J. B. Henderson, built the Palava School and subcontracted the West Ward (J.P. Cowen) School.
George and Pearl's children went to elementary school at East Ward, which was one block from their home. Joe got into trouble many times at recess. Because the temptation was just too great, he would go home to play with Pete instead of staying at school.
When the family moved into the house on Hailey Street, Sweetwater did not have natural gas. The family used a kerosene hot water heater, wood cook stove, coal heaters, and a fireplace for heating purposes. As soon as Sweetwater had natural gas, Pearl got a new cook stove with legs. Some of the most memorable moments for the children were times spent feather pillow fighting in the long dark hallway of this house while Pearl was gone to town. Mildred was left to clean up the mess before her mother returned home.
In 1931, during the depression, the Mays moved back to the May Farm in Scurry County. They kept the house in town, and Bill and S. J. came into town and sold the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Abilene Reporter, Sweetwater Reporter, and Dallas Morning news at the post office on weekends. When Joe and Pete became older, they also sold newspapers at the post office. The May boys had the Star Telegram Agency in Sweetwater for many years.
Pearl always brought her family back to town for Christmas. The boys would get a tree from south of town and cut wooden ornaments, and the family would paint them. George and Pearl would have someone come dressed in a Santa Claus suit on Christmas Eve to deliver the presents so there would not be such a big mess on Christmas morning.
The family moved back to town in 1933 and lived there until 1945, when they sold their house to R. C. Dill, a school teacher. They moved back to the farm and lived there until 1950, when they built a new home in Sweetwater on the corner of 4th and Crane where Bill and Bettye May now reside. George and Pearl celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 24, 1957, with family and friends in this home.
Pearl was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater as was her mother, Mrs. Martha (Mattie) Miller. Mrs. Miller at one time taught the TEL Sunday School Class. Pearl has two sons, Bill and Pete May; two grandsons, Larry and Walt May; and two great-grandsons, Steven and Mark May, who are still members of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater.
Four of the children served in the armed forces in the forties. S. J. and Bill served in the Air Force, Joe in the Navy and Pete in the Army.
Bill and S. J. are responsible for many of the houses in Sweetwater. They opened May Brothers Lumber Yard at 1507 Lamar in 1947. They purchased the Monticello addition from Jane Woodruff Hoyt in January 1956 and started developing this area.
Mildred married Frank Andrews on June 1, 1931, and they live on a ranch near Albany, Texas. They have two children, Patsy and Frank, and six grandchildren.
Christine married Wayne Rogers in 1931. He died in 1977. They have two children, Frank and Lou Wayne, and three grandchildren. Christine continues to live on their farm in Scurry County near Snyder, Texas.
Raymond married Annett Pittman in 1935, and they live in Snyder. They have two children, Donald Joe and Ramona, and five grandchildren.
Annetta married Nelson Mitchell in 1940. He died January 1, 1982. They have one son, David, and three grandchildren. Annetta lives in Bedford, Texas.
S. J. and his former wife, Gracie Craig, have three children - Betty, Jay and Peggy - and give grandchildren. S. J. was elected to the Sweetwater City Commission in 1957 and served four years. Three of those years were served as Mayor of Sweetwater. S. J. now resides at Oak Creek Lake.
Bill married Bettye Brown on October 1, 1951. They have two children, Walt and Caye, and one grandson. Walt lives here in Sweetwater with his wife, Kerrie. He owns and operates Sweetwater Equipment Sales. Bill and Bettye reside in Sweetwater at 510 East 4th.
Joe married Modelle McClure on November 15, 1946. They taught school at Highland from 1961 to 1970 and are presently teaching in Snyder. They currently reside in Hermleigh, Texas. They have two children, Janis and Thomas, and one grandson.
Pete married Clydelle Lewis on June 23, 1950. He is a roofing contractor in Sweetwater. He built the first house on Corral Street in the Mustang addition in 1957 and built one of the first houses in the Town & Country addition in 1963 where they still reside. They have three children - Cindy, Larry and Dwayne - and six grandchildren. Their son, Dwayne, lives at home and is a senior at Sweetwater High School. Larry lives in Sweetwater with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Steven and Mark. Larry is a CPA with the firm of Harris, Williams & May and is currently a Sweetwater City Commissioner.
Pearl May died May 9, 1i965, at the age of 76, and George Oliver May died on February 21, 1978, at the age of 92. This family has contributed immeasurably to the grown and development of this community. Their descendants can justly be proud of their heritage.
* * * * * *
NOLAN COUNTY DEATH CERTIFICATE
Name: Leta Pearl May
Death Date: 09 May 1965
Death Place: Simmons Memorial Hospital, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cause of death: Arteriosclerotic heart disease with decompensation
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 76 years
Birth Date: 05 Aug 1888
Birthplace: Ellis County, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: J.T. Miller
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Martha Duke
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: 510 E. 4th, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cemetery: Garden of Memories
Burial Place: Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Burial Date: 10 May 1965
Informant: George W. May
Film Number: 2117755
Digital Film Number: 4028299
Image Number: 3125
Reference Number: cn32427
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
* * * * * *
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE O. MAY
George Oliver May, son of Mr. and Mrs. George w. May, was born in Bosque County, Texas, on October 31, 1886. His parents were born in Tennessee and moved to Texas in 1872. They moved to Haskell County in 1904. Leta Pearl Miller was born on August 5, 1888, in Texas.
George O. and Leta Pearl married December 24, 1907. They lived in Rule, Texas, in a two-room house on the Doss farm. Their first child, Mildred, was born on October 4, 1908, in this house. Dr. Rogers was the attending physician. The couple then moved to Knox City where Christine was born on October 11, 1911. They later moved to Munday where John Raymond was born on March 12, 1914. The couple then moved to Rule where they lived until they bought a farm in Scurry County for nineteen dollars an acre. (Thomas May, a grandson, is currently farming the land.) While in Rule, George owned part of May Grocery-Hardware. Annetta was born on August 10, 1916, and S. J. was born April 21, 1919, in Rule. George W. (Bill) was born December 11, 1921, and Aubrey Joe was born October 28, 1924, in Scurry County.
In the spring of 1925, Pearl wanted to move to town so her children could get an education. The family rented the house at 201 East Arkansas while they built their home at 401 Hailey Street. The family moved into this house on December 14, 1925. At the time, Hailey Street was not paved, and cows were brought down the road on the way to the Santa Fe Railroad. Pearl had a hard time trying to start a yard and have flower gardens as much of her time was spent beating cows out of the front yard. Some of the surrounding neighbors were the Paynes, Colts, Dr. Dudgeon, and the Bondies. Thomas L. (Pete), their last child, was born in this house on September 29, 1927.
All of their children helped farm in Scurry County while they were growing up. Bill relates a very amusing story about growing up on a farm. When he was eight years old, he was plowing the field with mules and a go-devil, and he decided that there had to be a faster way to get the job done. He was having a good time running the mules when George got back from town in his 1923 black Dodge. George cut right across that cotton patch in his car, and Bill says he no longer had a desire to run the mules.
George was working as a carpenter with Jack Fulchum. They were building new homes and doing repairs. George built many of the houses of Pine and Cedar Streets. George and his brother-in-law, J. B. Henderson, built the Palava School and subcontracted the West Ward (J.P. Cowen) School.
George and Pearl's children went to elementary school at East Ward, which was one block from their home. Joe got into trouble many times at recess. Because the temptation was just too great, he would go home to play with Pete instead of staying at school.
When the family moved into the house on Hailey Street, Sweetwater did not have natural gas. The family used a kerosene hot water heater, wood cook stove, coal heaters, and a fireplace for heating purposes. As soon as Sweetwater had natural gas, Pearl got a new cook stove with legs. Some of the most memorable moments for the children were times spent feather pillow fighting in the long dark hallway of this house while Pearl was gone to town. Mildred was left to clean up the mess before her mother returned home.
In 1931, during the depression, the Mays moved back to the May Farm in Scurry County. They kept the house in town, and Bill and S. J. came into town and sold the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Abilene Reporter, Sweetwater Reporter, and Dallas Morning news at the post office on weekends. When Joe and Pete became older, they also sold newspapers at the post office. The May boys had the Star Telegram Agency in Sweetwater for many years.
Pearl always brought her family back to town for Christmas. The boys would get a tree from south of town and cut wooden ornaments, and the family would paint them. George and Pearl would have someone come dressed in a Santa Claus suit on Christmas Eve to deliver the presents so there would not be such a big mess on Christmas morning.
The family moved back to town in 1933 and lived there until 1945, when they sold their house to R. C. Dill, a school teacher. They moved back to the farm and lived there until 1950, when they built a new home in Sweetwater on the corner of 4th and Crane where Bill and Bettye May now reside. George and Pearl celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 24, 1957, with family and friends in this home.
Pearl was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater as was her mother, Mrs. Martha (Mattie) Miller. Mrs. Miller at one time taught the TEL Sunday School Class. Pearl has two sons, Bill and Pete May; two grandsons, Larry and Walt May; and two great-grandsons, Steven and Mark May, who are still members of the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater.
Four of the children served in the armed forces in the forties. S. J. and Bill served in the Air Force, Joe in the Navy and Pete in the Army.
Bill and S. J. are responsible for many of the houses in Sweetwater. They opened May Brothers Lumber Yard at 1507 Lamar in 1947. They purchased the Monticello addition from Jane Woodruff Hoyt in January 1956 and started developing this area.
Mildred married Frank Andrews on June 1, 1931, and they live on a ranch near Albany, Texas. They have two children, Patsy and Frank, and six grandchildren.
Christine married Wayne Rogers in 1931. He died in 1977. They have two children, Frank and Lou Wayne, and three grandchildren. Christine continues to live on their farm in Scurry County near Snyder, Texas.
Raymond married Annett Pittman in 1935, and they live in Snyder. They have two children, Donald Joe and Ramona, and five grandchildren.
Annetta married Nelson Mitchell in 1940. He died January 1, 1982. They have one son, David, and three grandchildren. Annetta lives in Bedford, Texas.
S. J. and his former wife, Gracie Craig, have three children - Betty, Jay and Peggy - and give grandchildren. S. J. was elected to the Sweetwater City Commission in 1957 and served four years. Three of those years were served as Mayor of Sweetwater. S. J. now resides at Oak Creek Lake.
Bill married Bettye Brown on October 1, 1951. They have two children, Walt and Caye, and one grandson. Walt lives here in Sweetwater with his wife, Kerrie. He owns and operates Sweetwater Equipment Sales. Bill and Bettye reside in Sweetwater at 510 East 4th.
Joe married Modelle McClure on November 15, 1946. They taught school at Highland from 1961 to 1970 and are presently teaching in Snyder. They currently reside in Hermleigh, Texas. They have two children, Janis and Thomas, and one grandson.
Pete married Clydelle Lewis on June 23, 1950. He is a roofing contractor in Sweetwater. He built the first house on Corral Street in the Mustang addition in 1957 and built one of the first houses in the Town & Country addition in 1963 where they still reside. They have three children - Cindy, Larry and Dwayne - and six grandchildren. Their son, Dwayne, lives at home and is a senior at Sweetwater High School. Larry lives in Sweetwater with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Steven and Mark. Larry is a CPA with the firm of Harris, Williams & May and is currently a Sweetwater City Commissioner.
Pearl May died May 9, 1i965, at the age of 76, and George Oliver May died on February 21, 1978, at the age of 92. This family has contributed immeasurably to the grown and development of this community. Their descendants can justly be proud of their heritage.
* * * * * *
NOLAN COUNTY DEATH CERTIFICATE
Name: Leta Pearl May
Death Date: 09 May 1965
Death Place: Simmons Memorial Hospital, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cause of death: Arteriosclerotic heart disease with decompensation
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 76 years
Birth Date: 05 Aug 1888
Birthplace: Ellis County, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: J.T. Miller
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Martha Duke
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: 510 E. 4th, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cemetery: Garden of Memories
Burial Place: Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Burial Date: 10 May 1965
Informant: George W. May
Film Number: 2117755
Digital Film Number: 4028299
Image Number: 3125
Reference Number: cn32427
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
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