Avery Dean May, Sr., age 89, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at his home. Born in Alamance County on July 26, 1926, he was the son of the late Ira Dean and Olive Josephine Isley May. Avery was one of the founding members of the Shelby Church of Christ where he served as treasurer for many years. Avery served as an MP for the U. S. Army and retired from Mauney Hosiery Mill as a fixer. Avery was a loving father and grandfather, was a devoted husband, and cared for his wife for many years. He loved going to his grandchildren's soccer games and was a computer technology enthusiast. In addition to his parents, Avery is preceded in death by a brother, Hillard May.

Avery is survived by his wife of 54 years, Betty Elmore May; a son, Dean May and wife Tamara of Waxhaw; a daughter, Vickie Monteith and husband David of Charlotte; three sisters, Betty Case, Ann Wilkerson, and Jeanette Gibbs and husband Eddie all of Greensboro; a brother, Howard May and wife Lou of Winston-Salem; and five grandsons, Scout Monteith, Denver Monteith, Trevor May, Parker May and Caleb May.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Shelby Church of Christ with Pastor Terry Graves officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends an hour before the service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm also at Shelby Church of Christ.

Memorials may be made to: Shelby Church of Christ, 845 West Warren Street, Shelby NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. May.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com