Beloved Overton Resident Turns 90 Amid Celebration

By NICK YAMASHITA

Moapa Valley Progress

People from the Moapa Valley community as well as from all over the United States came together in Overton on Saturday, January 12, to celebrate the life of one of Moapa Valley’s long-standing and most beloved residents.

They gathered at the Overton Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nearly filling the building to its capacity to celebrate the 90th birthday of Overton resident Ora Mae May.

Folks were excited to relate their experiences of how May had affected them, whether it was in school or in life. It was a trip into the past showing how one person can make a very positive impact upon others.
Ora Mae Bishop was born on January 11, 1929 to John Avery and Lemira Bishop in Delta, Utah. May said that her youth was a joyful one having been raised to know the true meaning of family and love.
Ora Mae went to college and served a Church Mission to the North Central States Mission.

She married her love, Richard May on March 23, 1951. They began their life together by living in several different cities in Utah and Arizona. Eventually, they would come to Moapa Valley in 1969, both becoming an important part of the local community through teaching in school.

While her husband taught Special Education, Ora Mae would get her degrees to be able to teach and then began her career in education at Grant M. Bowler Elementary. She taught for 21 years at the local school

Many recall Mrs. May and her instructions in playing musical instruments and also 5th grade. Many at the event would recall how much fun they had learning to play the xylophone. Multiple attendees recalled putting on concerts for school and for their parents and community, from singing to playing xylophones.

Even after the unfortunate passing of her husband 35 years ago, Ora Mae continued to be involved in the community, helping through her love of music, youth and Church.

May has helped coordinate and plan many local events and celebrations, participated in the local Moapa Valley Zephyr Choir and always been a huge support to local athletics and recreation, especially for the youth.

Ora Mae’s granddaughters recalled how much she supported them in everything. “We always saw her at everything we did,” said granddaughter Charity Lee. “Concerts, games, everything…. And we could HEAR her.”

Granddaughter Kristen Johnson was asked what she remembers most about Ora Mae. “She is always happy and would greet you with a big hug,” Johnson said. “She would always hug you like she was cracking your back.”

One of the most talked-about memories abiyt Mrs. May was a secret. She was notorious for a baking skill of spud-nuts, a delicate and most wonderful treat. A donut using potatoes or “spuds.” The secret was that no one knew her recipe. Everyone recalled her making this wonderful sweet, soft, scrumptious dessert and bringing them to church and community events, family gatherings and more. Eventually, Mrs. May taught a few others how to make the secretive spud-nuts. However, it is still kept a secret of where she got the recipe from.

The biggest influence in her life has always been the importance of family. May has 9 children. From oldest to youngest: Dennis May, MarJean Harris, David May, Kathy Brady, Sharon Johnson, Dianne Olds, Keith May, Kevin May, and Janett Bradshaw.

From those 9 children, she has added 9 son/daughter-in laws, 90 grandchildren, and 117 great grandchildren with a couple more on the way.

About her posterity, May stated that she has been very blessed.
When asked about her life, she stated it was the best and she was very blessed.

From everyone who has been influenced by her and from the community of Moapa Valley, we like to thank Ora Mae May for being a most positive part of the community for almost 50 years and say Happy 90th Birthday!