Judy Kay May (Woods), 78
Orrville — Judy Kay May (Woods), age 78, of Orrville, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, after a period of declining health. Judy was born February 9, 1949, in Hugheston, West Virginia to the late Irene and Lawerence Woods.
She graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1967. In 1972 she moved to Orrville, Ohio to help her sister Kathy at her restaurant, Charlie’s on High Street, where she happened to meet the love of her life Michael May who made regular stops at the restaurant while on patrol. He took her for a ride in his new Monte Carlo and the rest was history.
They were joined in marriage on a hot afternoon on July 6, 1974, the wedding cake may have melted but their love for each other never did. Together they celebrated 52 years of wedded bliss, not every day was perfect but their love for each other set an example for their three children, Jerry (Heather) Coleman, Ryan (Amber) May, Heather (Matt) Trnka.
Judy’s children learned to love and to be loved in return by her simple way of always being present and putting others well before herself. The life she and Mike built together in the house on the hill of High Street was full of laughter and her love for jumping out and scaring Mike any chance she had.
Together they attended Orrville Baptist Church, their second home, where Judy taught the youth group, children’s church, vacation bible school, was a kitchen and special event volunteer, served on the business committee among so many other unnoticed tasks because she loved the church and its people.
Judy retired from Rexroth in 2014, after 38 years of service in the inside sales department, she made friends across the world from Bethlehem, to London, to Germany and beyond. Judy never met a stranger and would quite literally talk to anyone. If you were lucky you were welcomed with her unforgettable smile or a warm hug.
Judy also known as Mamaw, loved being a grandmother and it was one of the greatest joys of her life. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Isabella (Andrew), Nicholas, Rhys, Luciana, Emily (Xavier), Matthew, Audrina and Taggart. As well as her great- grandchildren, Aria and Kanaan.
In addition to her husband and children, Judy is survived by her sister Rosie (Ronald) Hall, sister-in-laws Pam (Larry) Manella, Peg Martin, and so many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Irene and Lawerence, sisters Angie, Delores, Wilma, and Kathy, and brother Lawerence.
The family would like to thank Judy’s niece Casie Kesner for her love and support caring for her in her final months.
Friends may call on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, as well as one hour prior to the service.
Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, at Auble Funeral Home, Orrville, with Pastor Bradley Dews officiating. Private burial will take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
“The worst thing death can do for us is usher us into the best thing God has ever prepared for us!”
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhomes.com.
