Our History
The funeral business that became H.T. May and Sons was founded in Boonville in 1911 by Riley Martin, great-great uncle of Tom May. Following the death of Riley Martin, his nephew, Holwell J. May took over the reins of the business and continued to operate it until his death in 1974, when at that time, his son H.T. May began to run the business. When H.T. died in 2005, his son Thomas E. May began to run the business and is now the fourth generation to operate May Funeral Homes. Holwell May is apart of the fifth generation and the May family welcomes the sixth generation of the family Nia Rose May to the world born on October 2, 2013 and Gwendolyn Norene May born on February 16, 2015.
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Estelle L May, Owner
Estelle May, wife of the late H.T. May, owns the funeral homes in Columbia, Boonville, Sedalia, Marshall and Fayette. Estelle has three children Thomas May, Kathryn May who is a current licensed funeral director and Melodia Whitmore who passed away in 2014.
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Thomas E. May, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Thomas E. May and his wife Pastor Jennifer L. May. Jennifer is pursuing her funeral directors license and is a current pre-need specialist, as well as the pastor of Liberty International Ministries, Inc., in Columbia.Thomas May and his wife Jennifer are the proud parents of three children; Brittany N. May, David Jeremiah Baker, and Holwell J. May II. Thomas May and staff are are dedicated to serving families from all ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs in a personalized manner, with knowledgeable, caring, and professional staff. Thomas, his wife, and the rest of the May staff are able to attend to not only each family’s physical needs but we are equipped to serve your spiritual needs as well.Thomas graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1980. He is a past master of New Hannibal Lodge #20 of Marshall, Mo. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Boonslick YMCA, past board member of the Harvest House Homeless shelter, past board member of the Industrial Development Authority in Boonville, Mo., past president of the Missouri State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and has served on the Community Advisory Council for the Missouri Foundation for Health.
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Holwell James May II, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Holwell graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in August of 2011 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Holwell is married to Kasey May they have been Married since May of 2009 and currently reside in Boonville, MO. Holwell is licensed as a Missouri Funeral Director and Embalmer and has become the fifth generation of the May family to enter funeral service.
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Henry Hurt, Funeral Assistant
Henry is a lifelong Cooper County and Boonville Native, Henry has served on the Boonville City Council for 18 years, as well as serving on the City of Boonville Park Board, the Board of Habitat for Humanity and various other service organizations. Henry is married to Theresa Hurt. Henry is the proud father of four children, Kistina, Karaunda, Kolby and Kelvon. Henry has been with the H.T. May and Son family for over 17 years.
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Michael Poindexter, On Call Supervisor & Funeral Assistant
Michael Poindexter has been a member of the H.T. May and Son family for over 9 years and serves in many capacities. He is a 1990 graduate of Boonville High School and attended Kemper Military Junior College. He has three children Keith, Jalen and Sydnee.
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Stevie Hockaday, Funeral Assistant
Stevie has been a member of the H.T. May and Son team for over two years. Stevie is the proud husband of Theresa Hockaday. Stevie retired from the Marshall, Mo. Fire department after 34 years of service. He is a member of the St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church in Slater and he is the proud father of one daughter Tanya Varner.
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Ron Carter, Funeral Assistant
Ron Carter has been with the H.T. May and Son team for over 9 years. Ronnie is a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Columbia where he sings in the male chorus. He is a graduate of Mexico High School. He was formerly employed with the Boone Hospital Center for over 30 years. Ron is now pursuing his Missouri Funeral Directors license.
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Richard Hardiman, Funeral Assistant
Richard Hardiman has been a member of the H.T. May and Son team since March of 2015. He is a lifelong resident of Columbia, Mo. He is a proud graduate of Hickman High School. He has been a member for over thirty years of Log Providence Missionary Baptist Church where he is currently training to become a deacon of the church. Richard is very thankful to be able to serve families to help them begin the healing process.
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Johnny Rorah, Funeral Assistant
Johnny Rorah a native of Boonville Missouri. Johnny is married to Rosalie his wife of 34 years and has 3 sons. He is a graduate of Boonville High School and attended Columbia College where he obtained his degree in Business Administration. Johnny also served in the United States Air Force.Johnny has served on the board for Christ Episcopal Church, a board member for Little League Baseball and coached a variety of youth programs.In his spare time Johnny enjoys, golfing, fishing, canoeing and riding his bicycle on the Katy Trail.
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Trevor Hodges, Funeral Assistant
Trevor is a Cooper county native currently residing in Wooldrige, Mo. He is a graduate of the Boonville High School. The son of Deanna Friedrich Hodges and Keith Hodges, Trevor is the newest member of the H.T. May and Son team. He is married to Tabitha Hodges and together they have two children Gage and Kendal.
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Keith Hodges, Funeral Assistant
Keith is a native resident of Boonville, Mo. The son of the late J.B. Hodges and Lavina Kempf Hodges, where he graduated from Boonville High School in 1978. He has been married to his wife Joyce for ten years. Keith is the proud father of two children Trevor and Hannah. Keith welcomes the opportunity to be of service to families going through this difficult period in their lives.
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Tina Boggess, Facility Manager - Alexander-May Funeral Home
Tina Boggess is married to L.A. Boggess III, mother of 2, grandmother of 4. She is a graduate of Bunceton High School, and received a Medical Terminology Certificate in November 1985 from Nichols Career Center. She has worked as a family services worker with Missouri Valley Community Action Agency from August 1987 – April 2011, and received her family services credentials from the National Head Start Academy 2001. She became a member of Phi Theta Kappa at State Fair Community College October in 2003, and received her Family development credentials from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in July 2007. She returned to State Fair Community College in 2014 and became a Certified Phlebotomy Technician in October 2014, and went on to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in December 2014. Tina is a member of Burns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Sedalia, Missouri where she serves as the Youth Dept. Supervisor, Sunday School Superintendent, Pastor’s secretary, and Church Treasurer. Tina is currently pursuing her Missouri Funeral directors license.
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Lauretta Emerson, Funeral Director
Lauretta is a licensed funeral director with the Alexander-May funeral chapel. She has been a proud member of the team for over 20 years. She feels it is very rewarding to be able to assist familes when they are going through this most difficult time in the lives. She worked as an Registered Nurse for many years in the Pettis County area.
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Archie Ross, Funeral Assistant
Archie has been a member of the H.T. May family for over 35 years. He is married to Alice Ross and has been a member of the Sedalia community for many years. Archie is a member of the prince hall mason family and has held various offices in the lodge. He is a retired member of the United States Air Force. He is also a retired member of the Sedalia, Mo. fire department.
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Mark Kelly Sr., Funeral Assistant
Mark Kelly Sr. lives in Sedalia and is a member and Deacon of Ward Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. He works for UMC-Campus Mail services in Columbia. He has been married to his wife Debra since November 1995 and together have five children: three Boys and two Girls
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Irvin “Butch” Whittler, Funeral Director
Irvin is a life long member of the Columbia, Mo. community. Butch has been a licensed funeral director for over 25 years. He brings experience as well as compassion to all of the families that he has the privilege of serving. He is a member of the Latter House Kingdom Ministry of Columbia where he is an elder of the church. He is married to Kay S. Whittler. Sadly Irvin passed away on August 11, 2015. He will be greatly missed by the family and staff at HT May & Son Funeral Home.
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Steve West, Funeral Assistant
Steve West originally a native of St. Joseph, MO. has been a Mid-Missouri resident for 20 years. Steve has been a member of the H.T. May and Son Staff for over 4 years. Steve is currently studying for his Missouri Funeral Directors License.Steve is a resident of Fayette, Mo., where he is married to Carol Gaines-West. Steve has two children Makiya West and Okoye West, and two step-children Jada Gaines and LaToya Gaines. In his spare time Steve enjoys watching his girls participate in sporting events.
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Rev. Melvin McCaleb, Funeral Assistant
Rev. Melvin McCaleb Is the pastor of Second Christian church of Vandalia, his wife is Deniece Vaughn-McCaleb they have 7 children . Rev. McCaleb has been in the ministry since July 12, 1997, and has pastored Second Christian for Six years.
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Pastor Larry Fencl, Funeral Asst.
Pastor Larry accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 2002 at the age of 36. He received his credentials to preach from the Assemblies of God in 2010. He served as youth pastor at Odessa First Assembly of God for 2 years. He took a couple of years from ministry to attend Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. In 2014, he was appointed senior pastor at River of Life Assembly of God in Boonville, Missouri. A position he currently holds.Pastor Larry received his credentials to preach through the Southern Missouri School of Ministry. He attended Central Bible College and Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He received his ordination from the Assemblies of God in 2017.An effective communicator of God’s Word, Pastor Larry is known for his ability to break down the Word so anyone can understand it and apply it to their daily lives.He and his wife, Vikki, have been married since 1988. They are the proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to four grandchildren.
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Bishop Paul L. Jones, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Pastor of Burns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Sedalia, Missouri. 1997 graduate of Southern Illinois University- Carbondale College of Applied Science and Arts(CASA) in Funeral Services and Mortuary Science. Licensed Funeral Director in Illinois and Missouri. 1977 graduate of US Army School of Allied Health Services in Radiologic Technolgy in San Antonio, TX. Member of American Society of Radiologic Technologists(ASRT) Member American Registry of Radiologic Technologists(ARRT)Member of Sigma Phi Sigma Fraternity for Mortuary Science and Funeral Services at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, ILLicensed and Ordained Minister since 1985Married to Elizabeth JonesRetired Circuit Clerk of Alexander County, ILStaff Funeral Director and Embalmer of Williams Funeral Home in Charleston, MO from 1996 to 2017Funeral Director, Embalmer, And Administrator for Heavenly Gates Funeral Home from 2003 to 2008 in Cairo, ILMember of the Board of Trustees at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia, MO
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Norman J Garr, Funeral Assistant
Native of St. Louis, Mo and now residing in Columbia Mo. He’s been Married for 12 yrs to Teresa Crum-Garr. Has 6 Children, 13 Grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren.Norman has worked in the past for Ellis Funeral Home in St. Louis, Mo. He has been in the Culinary Industry for 40 yrs. Received his Chef culinary training through Brock Hotel Inc. in Seattle Washington in 1985. Has worked for various hotels, such as Holiday Inn, Harley Hotel, Regal Hotel and Adams Mark Hotel as an Executive Chef and Sous Chef. Recently spent 28 yrs with R.T. Western as Culinary manager.Norman is a member of St. Paul A.M.E Church where he is Pro-tem of the Steward Board,President of the Men's and Senior Usher Board and Director of Music.His Mission now is to be Extremely personally attentive to Funeral and Memorial Services,so that all family, friends can experience a positive, loving home going Celebration for their loved ones.
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Pastor Anthony Woods, Funeral Assistant
Pastor Anthony began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ his Junior year in High at the age of 17. Mother's Day of 2021 Pastor Anthony came to serve the Friendship Church Family. Pastor Anthony Loves to serve the Lord's Church, His family, and community. Pastor is married to his bride Carla of 12 years and they parent and grandparent 3 kids and 1 grandchild. Jaelen, Anniyah, Ruby, and Jalieya.
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Brenda Hammond, Lady Attendant
Brenda K. Hammond from Laurens, South Carolina, has resided in Columbia, Missouri for 53 years. She is the mother of a son, Ryan (Nadine) Williams and grandmother to Justin, Grayson and Connor Williams. She is a 1970 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU located in Charlotte, North Carolina.Since living in Columbia, she has worked 12 years in banking and retired in 2014 from MFA Incorporated, an Agricultural Business, in Feed Purchasing after 31 years. The organizations she belongs to: Member of Amos Johnson Chapter #30, Order of the Eastern Star, Queen City Assembly #109, Order of the Golden Circle, Board Member of J.W. “Blind Boone” Foundation, Member of Kappa Chi Omega Chapter – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has been a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church, Columbia, Missouri since 1977 and is currently serving as president of the Usher Ministry and Condolence Clerk for the church. As condolence clerk, she has the opportunity to offer comfort, in word, to families going thru grief and healing. As an usher, she is able to greet the masses of people that enter the church and help create an atmosphere for them to worship God without reservation.
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Theresa Krebs, Funeral Attendant
Theresa brings a wealth of experience and compassion to our team, serving as the Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Boonville. Her dedication to supporting families and her deep understanding of the importance of community make her a perfect fit for our mission.We are excited to have her on board and look forward to the incredible contributions she will make to our team and the families we serve.
