Lena Josephine May

Lena Josephine (Coleman) May, 106, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, August 26, 2010 at McCrite Plaza.

She was born to Jacob and Rebecca (Stevens) Coleman on a farm in Denison, KS on December 11, 1903. She attended school at Mulanax District 10. Lena taught school in a country school south of Denison for 3 ½ years. She had a state teacher's certificate from the Emporia StateTeachers College.

She was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church.

Lena married Clifford Charles May on October 4, 1926 in Topeka. He preceded her in death on September 6, 1992. She was also preceded in death by a brother, William Coleman and a sister, Beulah May. Survivors include two nieces, Janice Steinbock, Topeka, and Marcia Lindsey, Castroville, TX; a niece-in-law, Ann May, Orange, CA; 7 great nieces, 1 great nephew, 16 great-great nieces and nephews, 2 great-great-great-nephews all of Topeka and other great nieces and nephews.


Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Interment will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Mrs. May will lie in state after 4 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Oakland United Methodist Church, 801 Northeast Chester Avenue, Topeka, KS 66616, Midland Care Hospice of Kansas, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or McCrite Plaza 1608 SW 37th, Topeka, KS 66611.