Ethel Arnette May was born August 29, 1931 to Mayshack Harris and Ethel (Irvin) Harris in Rosenberg, TX. The youngest of six children, Ethel overcame many childhood hardships and graduated with honors from A.W. Jackson High School with the desire to continue on to college.

Ethel attended and graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1954. Upon graduation, she did “day’s work” to support herself and to help out her family. One of her clients, Ms. Evelyn Meyers felt that Ethel had outgrown Rosenberg and could garner better opportunities elsewhere. Ms. Meyers loaned Ethel the money to relocate to California.

When Ethel arrived in Los Angeles, she was able to stay with her cousins Mary & Dorothy and their families. She got a job as a dietitian at Los Angeles County USC hospital.

Ethel was able to pay Ms. Meyers back and buy her first house. She enrolled briefly at UCLA to earn an advanced degree but was sidelined by a near catastrophic illness. Reluctantly, she discontinued her studies and returned to working full time.

On September 1, 1959 Ethel married Roland May of Atchison, KS. They bought a home together in Los Angeles, where their son Marlin and daughter Vanessa were born. In 1969, the family moved to Lake View Terrace.

In 1970, she volunteered at the Pacoima Recreation Center on Herrick Street. By 1974 she was directing the Center’s senior citizen lunch program. In 1978, she became Executive Director of Pacoima Senior Citizens for United Concern. She served in this capacity until her retirement in 2001. Ethel was a faithful and diligent public servant. Via her good works, she enriched the lives of many elders and received numerous commendations from community leaders, activists, public officials, and politicians.

In her leisure time, Ethel enjoyed spending time with her family, visiting with friends, volunteering in the community, caring for her pets, bird watching, cheering on the LA Lakers, gardening, doing crafts, and reading about nature, current events and world affairs.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roland and by four of her siblings. She is survived by her children Marlin (partner Ron) and Vanessa; a sister Cornelius Amy, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

“Roland Thornton May was born May 5, 1930 to Edgar H. May and Ruby T. May in Atchison Kansas. Roland grew into an avid student. From an early age he was interested in electronics. Once, as a child, he accidentally broke the family radio while playing in the house. His mom and dad were understandably upset. By the next day, he had repaired the radio. It was in perfect working order.

“He was also a student athlete. At Atchison High School he excelled and lettered in track and field, and in football.

“Roland attended Washburn University and the Municipal University of Wichita. He studied engineering and physics and continued his successful participation in sports.

“During the Korean conflict, Roland interrupted his university education to enlist in the armed forces. He served tours of duty first with the United States Army, and then with the United States Air Force.

“After his honorable discharge, Roland resumed his university studies at West Coast University, where he earned a BSEE degree. He also attended the University of Southern California.

“On September 1, 1959, Roland married Ethel of Rosenberg, Texas. They settled first in Los Angeles, where their son Marlin and daughter Vanessa were born. The family then moved to Lake View Terrace in the San Fernando Valley.

“His working career was spent in the aerospace industry as an Electrical Engineer. He contributed to a multitude of projects for the nation’s defence and scientific achievement, including the B-1 bomber, the Maverick missile, the F-14 Tomcat and the Space Shuttle.

“Roland was a voracious reader of philosophy and science fiction. He enjoyed technology, sailing, fishing, gliding, classical guitar and civic volunteering. He volunteered for organizations including the Boy Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster, Junior Achievement, the Lake View Terrace Improvement Association, the YMCA, and the Friends of the Lake View Terrace Library. He also volunteered at the Pacoima and Veterans Administration libraries.

“Roland was preceded in death by his sister Isabel H. May-Hambric, his father Edgar and his mother Ruby.

“He is survived by his wife Ethel, his children Marlin (spouse Ron) and Vanessa, an aunt Francis and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.”

It took me quite some time to post this about my dad. I guess it is still taking some getting used to.