Mattie Sue Wooldridge May

Mattie Sue Wooldridge May, 84, of Harrisburg peacefully went home to our Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 8, 2025. She was a lifelong Baptist.

Mattie was born on September 4, 1940 in Harrisburg, AR to Master Boyce and Gladys (Bynum) Wooldridge. She was the middle child of seven children. Mattie and her siblings had a lasting, loving bond which made birthdays and holidays special. Her hush puppies were a must for the annual fish fry celebrating her dad's birthday.  She was a 1958 graduate of Oak Grove High School where she played basketball.  Mattie enjoyed many class reunions.

She had boundless energy and an adventurous spirit. She and her husband of 24 years, John B. May, loved traveling and were always on the go, whether it was exploring another country, visiting Mattie’s son Todd in Europe or going to their cabin in Fifty-Six, AR to fish, ride four wheelers, or swim in the creek.

Their biggest joy came from sharing these adventures with their grandchildren. Each summer meant annual trips to Estes Park, CO. with their grandson Zane and then Tanner. It was a fun time hiking the Rocky Mountains along with fishing for rainbow trout in the river behind where they always stayed or watching the huge elk wander through the town stopping traffic.

Mattie and John attended many school activities and were the only grandparents to chaperone the school dance at St. John's College Prep in Collegeville, MN when Zane was a student there. Mattie said it was one of their highlights and all the kids loved having them there. They spent many happy hours watching Tanner play basketball and compete in golf tournaments.

Mattie is preceded in death by her parents, Boyce and Gladys Wooldridge, brothers Ed (Annette) Wooldridge, Darrell “Shorty” (Charlotte) Wooldridge, sisters Bonnie Faye Wooldridge, and Eva (Bill) Beeler.

Mattie is survived by her devoted husband, John B. May. Her daughter Robin Stearns, and sons Jimmy (Jennifer) Laird and Todd Laird. Her grandchildren Zane (Will Bullock) Stearns, Tanner Laird, and Dallas Williams

She is also survived by a sister Donna (George) Dillin and her oldest brother JT (Myra) Wooldridge. She never missed making her brother peanut brittle for his birthday. Donna was Mattie's go to fishing partner, often calling her spur of the moment to tell her she was at the bait shop getting minnows and to get ready. They inherited their love of fishing from their mother.  This love of fishing has been passed to all the generations.   Mattie also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. @ stjude.org. Mattie and John are regular supporters of St. Jude's.

There will be a celebration of life and family at a later date.