Mrs. M. Elaine May

****NOTE: Visitation, Service Times & Location Listed Below**** Our dear sister, M. Elaine May was escorted to Glory by Angels early Monday morning, November 25, 2019. Elaine was born on August 22, 1955 to the union of Walter and Orlean Cunningham at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Elaine was the sixth of seven children, three girls and four boys. In 1963, while Elaine was in grade school, her mother; Missionary Graves joined The Church of God Pentecostal in Kalamazoo, under the leadership of the late Bishop Lafayette W. Davis. When Elaine was 13 years old, she experienced a growth on her neck that later became a significant part of her testimony. Doctors wanted to do experimental surgery, but Missionary Graves encouraged Elaine to give her life to the Lord. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the following day, the growth was gone, to God be the glory! She had been running for the Lord ever since. Her life was proof to other young people that they can receive the precious Holy Spirit at a young age, and not surrender to the temptations of the world. Elaine attended Kalamazoo Public Schools where she graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1973. She went on to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College where she received and Associate Degree in Finance, and later attended Western Michigan University to further her education. Elaine married R. B. May, Jr. in 1981, from Kalamazoo, Michigan. To this union, two children were born, Latashia Shanene and Robert Brysen May. Elaine was employed by First of America Bank for over 15 years. After leaving the bank, she went on to be employed by the Kalamazoo Public Schools where she later retired. Elaine also worked many years for the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission in the Women’s Division. Elaine loved the Lord, and always had a fire and passion to please God. It was no surprise to hear her say, “I have the pressure of duty” and “I’ve got to be on my post.” She loved to “work the altar,” and rejoiced when new souls came to Christ. Elaine held many positions working in Ministry: kitchen assistant, fundraiser, usher, media specialist, prayer band leader, choir president, transportation coordinator, praise team member, and many more. She loved to support the youth department in whatever way she could by transporting and traveling with the youth to youth meetings and national convocation. Under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Herbert B. Cunningham, she worked tirelessly and diligently as the business and finance manager. She was anointed in teaching the Word of God, and was a true Bible scholar. Elaine was the Sunday School teacher until she could no longer serve. She was dedicated, had spiritual gifts, and was faithful to God, and to the ministry. She would often be heard saying “if no one else is there, I will be.” In 2018, when Elaine faced health challenges, her children and family members were right there by her side until the Lord called her home. Several special family members and friends gave extra care during this time which included her sister Joyce, her brother Herbert, her cousin Eloise Dyson, Elder James and Missionary Mary Moore, and Mother Stella P. Davis. The kind, loving, generous, faithful, open-hearted, sweet spirit of Elaine will be greatly missed by her children, family, friends, and spiritual family. To know her was to love her. Her smile was infectious, and she loved the Lord and her family with her whole heart. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, R.B. May, Jr.; her parents, Walter and Orlean Cunningham; step-father, Robert Graves, and two brothers, Walter, Jr. and Nathaniel Cunningham. She leaves to cherish her memory: two children, Latashia Shanene May and Robert Brysen May both of Kalamazoo, MI; two brothers, Herbert B. (Belendria) Cunningham, and Coleman (Betty) Cunningham; two sisters, Joyce Cunningham and Kathleen Taylor-Singleton all of Kalamazoo, MI; one step-sister, Gwen Jefferson of Lansing MI, and half-brother, Walter Randle of Detroit, MI; three aunts, Ora Mae Kelly, Ethel Whitley, and Bernice Whitley, one uncle K. Z. Wallace all of Kalamazoo, MI; several special friends, along with a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, church family, and friends.

Mrs. M. Elaine May

August 22, 1955 - November 25, 2019