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.
Entries(RSS)
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
[...] September 1, 1959, Roland married Ethel of Rosenberg, Texas. They settled first in Los Angeles, where their son Marlin and daughter Vanessa [...]
December 4th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I can see where you get your smile.
I am so sorry for your losses this year, sweetie.
-D
December 4th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Marlin, my friend: I’m sorry for your loss, and rejoice, in reading what you have written about your parents.
I can see the joy, and the amazing things they both accomplished.
And then I remember you, and know that you are a reflection of them.
Be well, my friend.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Hugs for you.
Losses are always the hardest this time of year, I think, when families are coming together… My thoughts will be with you for sure.
Adam
December 8th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Thank you all so very much.
December 28th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Through what you wrote I can see that her’s was life was a life well led. Thank you for the window, and please accept my sympathy and best wishes.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Marlin, sorry again for your loss. She sounds like she was an amazing person.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Hey Marlin hope you are okay and doing good. Sorry for the loss of your mom and know how hard it is to lose someone that is so precious to you. Hope Ron is taking good care of you.
I know we all are running around in our daily lives trying to keep pace with everyone else but just remember to slow down and take your time. It’s one thing I remember to do after my brother passed on. If I rush I become a mess and nothing gets done right. Big hug to you!!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
[...] Cheese Stands Alone”. Their a cappella “Never the Same” made me cry. I guess those feelings will be raw and near the surface for some time yet. echolyn never seems to disappoint [...]
November 5th, 2008 at 12:58 am
[...] hard to choke back the tears now, because my mom and dad did not survive to see this [...]