Dr. Reuel May, Jr. was born September 6, 1927 to Dr. & Mrs. Reuel May, Sr. in Jackson, Mississippi.  Reuel loved the state of Mississippi and its people. He was proud of being one of the first families of the state.

Reuel attended Jackson Public Schools.  In 1944, he left Central High School to attend Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama.  After graduating in 1946, he entered Mississippi State and joined Kappa Alpha Fraternity.  Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree, he enrolled in Baylor University College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. While there he became interested in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery which led to further study in the graduate program at the University of Pennsylvania.  After completion, he returned to Dallas for his internship and residency training at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Reuel was inducted into the US Air Force and received an assignment as Chief Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon for the 10th Air Division in Interior Alaska, stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks.

When Dr. May was discharged as Captain from the Air Force, Mississippi lured him home and he opened his oral and maxillofacial surgery practice on April 10, 1957.  He served the people of Mississippi and surrounding states for 60 years.  His love of oral surgery and love of his patients was paramount in his life. It was at the heart of who he was.

First Baptist Church of Jackson was a beloved and important part of Dr. May's life. He was a Life Deacon, served on various committees, and attended the Southern Baptist Convention for many years.

He was a member of Mississippi Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southeastern Society of Oral Surgeons, American Society of Oral Surgeons, a Charter member of Academy of Osteointegration (Dental Imp l ants).  He was honored to be a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.  His love of his profession led him to many continuing education programs.

In early 2000, Dr. May re-connected with Marjorie Hopkins from Dallas, Texas, a coed he dated when she was at SMU and he was an intern at Parkland Hospital.  Their marriage in 2004 involved living between Jackson and Dallas with frequent trips to Europe, South America, and dental conventions throughout the US. They shared nearly eighteen joyous years of marriage, enjoying family, entertaining, and spending time with their good friends at their supper and dance clubs.

Reuel's love of travel, good food, and stimulating conversation was only surpassed by his allegiance to Mississippi State University and all of its spectator sports. A life-long voracious reader, he was always interesting and interested in learning, whether it was gardening or attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, where he perfected his cooking skills.

He was fiercely loyal to family and friends.  His optimistic view of life was expressed by his eternal greeting "always good" when asked how he was doing.  He could strike up a conversation with anyone and was always pleased when there was some Mississippi connection.

Dr. May is survived by his wife Marjorie Hopkins May; his sister Frances May Long and her children, Lawrence C. Long (Irene), Anne Long Jones (Chip), and Frances Long Royal (Robert); the children of his late sister Margaret Ann May Steelman, Ronald J. Steelman, Jr. (Kathy), Cary Ann Steelman Agent (Mark), Stacy Steelman Fountain; numerous great nieces and nephews; as well as stepchildren, Chris Hopkins (Lucy), Cheryl Hopkins (Neil), Arthur Hopkins (Karey) and numerous step grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at Cedarlawn Cemetery in Jackson at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church at 431 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39201; Mississippi Animal Rescue 5221 Greenway Dr Ext., Jackson, MS 39204 or to a charity of the donor's choosing.