Johnny M. May, Jr. Obituary
Johnny Martin May, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend — known to all who loved him as “Big Daddy” — passed away on May 8, 2026. Born on October 21, 1939, in Butler, Alabama, to Johnny Martin May, Sr. and Doshie Hunter, he lived a life defined by service, devotion, and an enormous, generous heart.
Johnny answered his country’s call, proudly serving in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961. He earned the rank of Specialist, E-4, as an infantryman. That same spirit of service carried through every chapter of his life. He was a dedicated member of the Lions Club, an organization whose motto, “We Serve,” could just as easily have been written about Big Daddy himself.
He built a steady and honorable career as a metro driver and mechanic, and in retirement, he took a position at Kroger’s — not because he had to, but because sitting still was never his style. His hands were always busy, his door was always open, and his heart was always ready.
On March 10, 1962, he married the love of his life, W. Julia May, and together they built a family that was the very center of his world. Big Daddy had a simple rule: if you called him, he came. It didn’t matter what he was doing or what time it was — he would stop everything to show up for the people he loved. His daughter Tracey, whom he called his “baby girl,” knew this better
than anyone.
He had a gift for joy. Big Daddy was a king at the grill — his ribs and double-deckers were legendary — and he took every opportunity to fill a room with laughter. He had a special tenderness for babies and little ones, and few things made him happier than a good tickle session that dissolved into giggles. He loved going to the movies, and throughout every season of his life, you could find him watching Tom and Jerry — first with Tracey, then with his grandchildren, and finally with his great-grandchildren — laughing just as hard every single time.
Those Left to Cherish His Memory
Big Daddy is survived by his beloved wife, W. Julia May; his daughter, Tracey L. Williams and her husband John; his grandchildren, Abrenica Williams and her husband Patrick, and John Mark Williams, Jr.; his great-grandchildren, Aviana Williams and Annalise Williams; and his siblings, Virginia Johnson (Charles Johnson), Veosa Ruffin, and Augusta Reed. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Billy Hunter.
Big Daddy didn’t need a title or a stage. His legacy is written in every person he showed up for, every plate of ribs he put on the table, every laugh he shared over a cartoon, and every time he made someone feel like the most important person in the world. He was one of a kind, and will be deeply missed.
