Extracted from The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Wednesday, June 1, 2005

May, Renee David

The daughter of Henry Jacob David and Corinne Eve Lan on David, she died Monday, May 30, 2005, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She was a resident of Abbeville, Lafayette and Baton Rouge.

She was born Feb. 8, 1914, in Kaplan. On June 6, 1937, she married Robert Elliott May, who preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brothers-in-law: Elodie and Thomas G. Day, Corinne D. and L.A. Moreland, and Lucille D. and Thomas G. Hensley; brother, Henry J. David, and sister-in-law, Grace MacMillan David; and brother-in-law, Daniel J. Fourrier.

She is survived by her sister, Lorraine D. Fourrier of Baton Rouge; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth N. and Patsy Farr May; children, Robert Elliott May Jr. and daughter-in-law, Enola Provost May of Lafayette and Baton Rouge, and Meredith May Blackwell of Baton Rouge; granddaughters and their husbands, Elise Blackwell Bajo and David Bajo of Columbia, S.C., Mindy May Colomb and Kevin Colomb of Baton Rouge; grandson, Robert Elliott May III of Lafayette; five great-grandchildren, Sam Colomb, Stephen Colomb, Camille Colomb, and Claire Colomb, all of Baton Rouge, and Esme Claire Bajo of Columbia, S.C.; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was an elementary school teacher and librarian for more than 20 years. She was chosen Teacher of the Year in 1960 by the Federated Women' Club of Lafayette for her work at LeRosen Elementary School. Two libraries she headed, S.J. Montgomery Elementary School in Lafayette and Sherwood Forest Elementary in Baton Rouge, were each recipients of the Louisiana Library Association Modisette Award in 1965 and 1969, respectively, given for the most improved elementary library in Louisiana.

In 1985, she was named outstanding 1953 graduate of the College of Education, University of Southwestern Louisiana, where she completed her bachelor of science degree in education with a minor in library science. She also was given an outstanding alumni award by the College of Education. She retired as librarian from Sherwood Forest Elementary School in 1971.

She was active in a number of professional and social organizations in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, including Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, St. Anne' Guild, USL Faculty Women, LSU Campus Club, LSU Retirees, Rotary Auxiliary, Needlework Club, the book club LeLivre, Home and Garden Club, and several bridge groups.

She enjoyed LSU athletics and followed LSU teams, traveling with her husband, Bob, to many out-of-town games when he served on the LSU Athletic Committee and watching baseball until the week of her death. For more than 30 years, she served as a volunteer at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where she chaired a committee that kept the membership list current. She also enjoyed decorating the rectory for the Christmas season. She was an inveterate reader of the obituary page of this newspaper where this notice appears.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the East Baton Rouge Parish Library or a charity of your choice. Visiting at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, on Thursday, June 2, from 10 a.m. until religious service at noon, conducted by the Rev. Eric Gyan. Entombment in Greenoaks Mausoleum. Rabenhorst Funeral Home East is in charge of arrangements.