Ema Lee May, age 73, died Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Orem, Utah after a life-time struggle with diabetes. She passed away during a heart procedure at Timpanogas Hospital. She was born on March 28, 1946 in Delta, Utah to Morgan and Eunice Anderson May.
Ema grew up on a farm, where she loved to be with animals. She had a special horse named, Cutie, and loved to saddle her horse and ride on great adventures, even if it was just around the farm. She attended Sutherland Elementary, Delta High School, and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the College of Southern Utah. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ema taught school in Tooele, Vernal, Roosevelt and taught the children of the Indian Reservation and was a great champion for them. After she retired from fulltime teaching, she ran a preschool in the areas where she lived for the neighborhood children and her nieces and nephews (who affectionately still call her Aunty Em). Ema spent her last years in assisted living facilities where she cared for and made many friends. She loved gardening. No matter where she lived, she planted and shared the beauty and produce. She always had a twinkle in her eye and a unique sense of humor. Ema never married, and she insisted her husband (whom she never met) was killed in World War II.
Ema is survived by her brother: Donald (Peggy) May of Fresno, CA; sister: Darleen (Dale) Workman of Provo, UT; sisters-in-law: Ora Mae May of Overton, NV; Della May of Spanish Fork; and Jeanie May of Cedar City; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Richard, Kenneth, and Jay May; sisters: Flora (Rex) Wood and Judy (Lon) Dyer.
The family expresses thanks to the caregivers at Bel Air Assisted Living in Orem for their special loving care.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 6, at 4:00 pm, at the LDS Church at 2900 Timpview Drive, Provo. A Viewing will be held Thursday, 2:30-3:40 pm, prior to the service. Burial service will be held on Friday, June 7, at 11:00 am, at the Sutherland, Utah Cemetery.