May Gattis, better known as Mama May completed her journey to Heaven on July 27,
2026. May was born and raised in Montana. While she was working in a small cafe, the
man who became the love of her life, a dashing young Air Force man walked in and
ordered a bowl of chili and Bill and May quickly became a family. They soon had four
little kids and spent time in Europe and Montana until Bill retired from military life and
they settled in Georgia.
Mama May loved to take care of those who needed help when their health declined.
She spent some time volunteering at Kennestone Hospital to help families. Mom started
a Prayer Blanket ministry and delivered the prayer blankets to those in declining health.
She was a member of the Prayer Warriors at church.
Mom and Dad loved to go out to eat and would form a new friend group at whatever
restaurant they were hooked on at the time. They attended the original Campground
United Methodist church in Marietta for years where their kids grew up. Eventually they
moved to St. Stephen UMC where mom participated in the choir. They were part of a
tight knit small circle of friends, Mom continued to attend St. Stephen after Daddy died
until her health made it impossible but she still maintained her friendships developed
there.
While Mom loved her friend group, her greatest joy came from being with her family.
She was very proud of her kids and grandkids. She always supported whatever the
grandkids were doing, always at the baseball field with the boys or running the girls to
cheerleading. Of course, every excursion had to end with a trip to the Quik Trip for a
Diet Dr. Pepper and/or a large hot chocolate (yes, she always emphasized she wanted
a large)!
Mom was met at Heaven's gates by her forever love Bill and I'm sure their beautiful
granddaughter Kayla Rae Gattis greeted Mama May with a very unique Kayla style
cheer. Mom was finally reunited with her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a
huge friend group that made it to Heaven prior to Mom.
Mom's family that love and will miss her include her four children: Tim (Tammy) Gattis,
Louise (Ted) Sommers, Sarah (Kam) Patel and Terry (Dan) Byrne. Her grandchildren
that will miss Mama May are: Kameron Patel, Kristopher (Kathrine) Patel, Alyssa Gattis
(fiancé James), Allison Sommers, Chad (Brandy) Shirley, Ryan (Renee) Shirley and her
great grandkids: Claire, Charlotte, Emily, Ellie, Sadie and Hudson Shirley. Mom's
brother Francis Hungerford and sister Rose Hungerford of Montana and her brother
Jack (Julie) in  Washington will also miss her, along with her cousin brothers Bobby
(Andina) Goforth in Florida and Donny Goforth in Alaska. May also leaves behind her
sister by choice Tami Trader here in Georgia, along with a few remaining friends from
church.

Mom knew she was going to Heaven soon and requested that there be no tears (unless
they are happy tears for her reaching Heaven). She only wanted a graveside service
which will be held at 1:00 P.M. on July 30, 2026 at Georgia Memorial.
Prior to the graveside service, family and friends will gather from 11:00am - 12:30pm at
Marietta Funeral Home.

Marietta Funeral Home
915 Piedmont Rd
Marietta, GA 30066
770-422-1234
Mariettafuneralhome.org

Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery
2000 Cobb Pkwy SE,
Marietta, GA 30060
770-432-0771
dignitymemorial.com