May Anna Ross, age 88, passed away, Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the Wedgewood Estates in Mansfield, Ohio.
Born on August 8,1936 in Delaware, Ohio to Ernest and Nina (Fraley) Swearengin, she was a Shelby resident since 1962. May was a 1953 graduate of Frank B Willis High School and she received her bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University in 1962. As a young woman, May was employed at Shelby City Schools as a Physical Education teacher, and, when the girls were old enough, at Cornell’s IGA. A longtime member of the former Shelby Country Club, she was an avid golfer.
May grew up on the farm and, as a daddy’s girl, she was always outside and that is where she developed her affinity for nature. She loved gardening vegetables and flowers, and especially loved brightly colored annuals. She loved all birds, and enjoyed the hummingbirds, finches and cardinals that would visit her flowers and feeders. If she wasn’t at home, you could either find her playing golf in the Tuesday morning women’s league or with her husband and the couples from Shelby and Mansfield on Wednesdays and Sundays, or she was perch fishing on Lake Erie with her family. Most recently, you could find her at the Ontario Health and Fitness Center walking the track or completing jigsaw puzzles.
May was a caring mother, staying at home and raising two beautiful girls, and supporting countless other young Shelby Lady Whippets.
May had so many talents, from baking cut-out cookies and pies, canning and putting up all kinds of food, sewing, chair caning, to always welcoming family friends with a hot meal on the table.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Benny “Ben” Ross, whom she wed on December 17, 1965 at the First Lutheran Church of Shelby; her daughters Kimberly Ross of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, and Nikki Wildman and son-in-law Xen Wildman, of New Albany, Ohio; grandchildren Vinn and Nora Wildman; sister Mary Avey of Delaware, Ohio.
In addition to her parents, she is welcomed in Heaven by her brothers Paul Watson and John “Les” Watson.
Friends may visit the family at the Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory in Shelby Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A funeral service will immediately follow at 6:00 PM with Reverend Dr. Russel Yoak officiating with interment held in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shelby Athletic Boosters in care of Cathy Dodge at 145 Mansfield Ave. Apt 7, Shelby, OH 44875; and Avita Home Health & Hospice at 1220 N Market St, Galion, OH 44833.
Online condolences may be made at www.barkdullfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Home: Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory
Website: www.barkdullfuneralhome.com