Joe E. May

Joe Ellsworth May, 84 of Taiban, NM passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at his home following an illness. Joe was born July 1, 1932 in House, NM to the home of Joe Henry May and the former Georgia Powell. He grew up in House and Taiban. He attended school at Taiban. Joe served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Joe worked for over 35 years with House Co-Op delivering propane to customers in Quay, Roosevelt, De Baca, and Guadalupe County. He retired in 2008. He also ranched northeast of Taiban for many years. Joe loved to tinker and tear stuff up, usually leaving Matt to do the repairs. Joe enjoyed ranching, watching western movies and the Weather Channel. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles in Fort Sumner, and American Legion Post #29 at Lake Sumner. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, two sons Joe Bruce May in 1972 and Luke May in 2006, one sister Florene Eshelmann in 2007. Survivors include daughters Penny Burcham and husband BJ of Alabama, Kelly Kent and husband Kade of Buffalo, OK, Tamara Allen of Las Vegas, NM, sons Matt May and wife April of Taiban, and Steve Allen and wife Anita of House, also surviving are 20 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, two nieces Becky Hamilton and husband Steve and kids Tiffany and Nathan of Amarillo, TX and Georgia Lee Brooks of Clovis. Visitation hours will be Thursday from 1pm-6pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10am Friday, December 9, 2016 at House Baptist Church with Rev. Sherman Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Taiban Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Matt May, Steve Allen, Jimmy Webb, Steve Hamilton, Kade Kent, Danny Tivis, Hilous Hargrove, and Oscar Lerma. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311