Rita Joyce May passed away at home March 20, 2019 with her husband Dean and two sons Kent and Dean III at her side.  Rita took great pride in being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Rita was born in Houston, TX, August 16, 1941, and spent her school years in Victoria, TX, graduating from Victoria High School. Following graduation, Rita moved to Houston to pursue her secretarial career while attending college night classes.

She married Dean at First United Methodist Church, Houston, TX, on July 5, 1975, and they had one son Dean III together. Her first son Kent McGill was from a prior marriage.

Rita was an avid bridge player and actively competed in several duplicate & marathon bridge clubs in Houston, Alabama, Maryland & Illinois. An accomplished hostess to grand family and social gatherings, she enjoyed the social fellowship of a good party. She was a most enthusiastic supporter of her grandchildren's softball, baseball and football games even in her last months. Attending their games has been the highlight of her last years. She also enjoyed the Astros.  Rita attended the Astros regular season final home game despite failing health.

As wife to a corporate nomad, she readily developed friendships at their numerous moves and maintained the relationships with card, letter and phone correspondence for years. In her spare time, she devoured the most recent fiction.

Rita was a member of:

• John Wesley United Methodist Church
• Faith Circle UMW
• John Wesley UMC Good News Sunday School Class (past president)
• Northwest Forest Republican Women Assn.
• Friends and Neighbors (FAN) Women's Club of FM 1960 (past program chairperson)

She is survived by husband Dean May, Jr. and sons Kent McGill (Michelle) and Dean May III. Also, grandchildren Amanda Williams (Justin) and Regan and Parker McGill; great grandchildren Camden, Emerson and Carson Williams; brothers Robert Sheward and Bruce Sheward (Irma); niece Erica Smith (Patrick); nephews John Sheward, Steve Sheward (Patricia), Gabe Sheward, Wes Williams, Wade Williams (Loretta), Josh Goldman, and Tim May (Mitzi).

Rita is preceded in death by her father Robert O. Sheward, mother Liberty B. Sheward and nephew Jon May.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 29, 2019, at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 5830 Bermuda Dunes Dr., Houston, TX 77069

In lieu of flowers please honor Rita with your support of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or John Wesley United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.