Gyeral Bernard May

Mr. Gyeral Bernard May, age 80, of Wilkesboro, NC passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at his home.

Memorial services will be held Friday, March 14, 2025, at Loving Funeral Home in Portsmouth, VA.  The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm with Service to begin at 2:00 pm.

Mr. May was born January 8, 1945, in Portsmouth, VA to Henry Leonard and Frances Keys May.  He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam war, honorably serving his country from 1968-1971, “B” troop, 7th Armored Squadron/1st Aviation Brigade Cavalry- Attack Helicopter - Vinh Long, Vietnam.  Upon his return to the U.S., he worked as a Machinist at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and completed his civil service at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital as a Contract Administer.  After retirement, he committed his energy to numerous projects, including membership in Stonewall Camp #380, and James B. Gordon Camp - Sons of Confederate Veterans, Portsmouth Area Civil War Roundtable, Western Branch Athletic Club of Chesapeake, VA, and Cedar Grove Cemetery Foundation of Portsmouth, VA, where he was often found researching veterans and serving as Chair of the Restoration committee.  He authored two books, his first on veterans of Portsmouth Cedar Grove Cemetery and a second book “Civil War Soldiers with ties to Wilkes County North Carolina”.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Leonard May (1957), his mother, Frances Keys May Waddell (2016), his stepfather Rudd Morgan Waddell (2007) and his wife Rebecca Lauderback May (2021).

Gyeral is survived by a son; Ryan May and wife Sally of Mechanicsville, VA; daughter Amber May of Portsmouth, VA; daughter Stephanie (May) Chandler and husband Greg of Smithville, MO.  Stepsister Vicky (Waddell) Holbrook, Seven Grandchildren; McKenna May and Landrey May (Ryan); Breonna May, Jaylyn May, and Tycen May (Amber), Patrick Windsor, Megan Windsor, (Stephanie) and special friends, Debbie May-Beal, and Verona Parker Williams.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Portsmouth Cedar Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o – Southeast VA Community Foundation, 1435 Crossways Blvd., Suite 303, Chesapeake, VA 23320 Or Wilkes Heritage Museum, PO Box 935, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

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