Penelope “Penny” Smith May, 73, passed peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
She was born on September 7, 1951 in Boston, Massachusetts, to the late William Griswold Smith “Gris” and Jane Robinson Smith “Robin”.
Penny grew up in Greensboro. She attended Mount Vernon Seminary and College in Washington D.C. before settling in the Pines in 1974.
A self-proclaimed “city-girl”, Penny took some time to warm up to her new small town life. It was the friendships she made those first few years that truly made Moore County feel like home and the perfect place to raise her family.
After receiving her associates degree in interior design from Randolph Technical College in 1985, Penny held various design jobs including owning a small business in downtown Southern Pines that carried her hand-painted antiques.
Penny was a member of the Colonial Dames, Greensboro Country Club, The Country Club of North Carolina and various local garden clubs.
Her greatest joys were her two children, Bryan and Laura. Her children will always remember her as being the loudest mom cheering in the stands, late night snack chef, and Christmas magic maker.
Penny was a lifetime follower of Jesus and never wavered from her strong Christian faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister: Mary Bryan Smith.
Penny is survived by her two children: Bryan May and wife Carolyn of Charlotte, Laura May and husband Ricardo Araya of Southern Pines; sister: Maura Hilliard Smith of Greensboro; grandchildren: Maisy Araya, Aden Araya, Madeleine May. Nieces: Mary Bryan Morgan (Kane); Rimes McGinn Kirk (Jon); great-nieces and nephews: Kennon Later, Grayson Kirk, Henry Kirk.
A private burial will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro. A celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Village Pine Venue located at 1628 McCaskill Road in Carthage.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina or the Moore County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be offered at www.PinesFunerals.com.
Fry & Prickett Funeral Home is honored to serve the May family.
