Joanne Brubaker May passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 5 at the age of 89. Joanne was born to Lester Houser Brubaker and Ada Gamber Brubaker on Feb 8, 1931 in Lancaster on the Strasburg Pike. She graduated in 1949 from West Lampeter Township High School and attended Wheaton College for 1 year.
She wed James Yeagley May on Dec 30, 1950, and they were happily married for 42 years. Jim and Joanne raised their children in Millersville, PA. He preceded her in death in 1993, after which she moved to Grandview Chase in Lancaster.
Joanne is lovingly remembered by her 3 children, Jim (Angela) May, (Don) Julie May Pearson, George (Linda) May; 9 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; sister Joyce (Dave) Bryan; brother Jim (Rosemary) Brubaker; special family friend (Jiten) Rebecca Ningshan Singh.
Joanne worked for many years at her father’s business, L.H. Brubaker Farm Equipment and Appliances. She taught piano from her home and also managed finances for various organizations over the years. She was owner/office manager at Wilson’s Auto License Service on Lime street. When Joanne retired, she continued to use her skills as a volunteer for Child Evangelism Fellowship and also at her church.
A long-time member of Calvary Church in Lancaster (spanning all five senior pastors), Joanne faithfully served in children’s ministries, prayer ministries and as an office volunteer. She loved God’s Word and was a powerful prayer warrior for her family, friends, and missionaries around the world.
Her hospitality was a beautiful gift as she hosted friends, visitors and Bible studies and shared her home with many who needed a place to stay. The calmness and perseverance that characterized Joanne’s life was born out of her daily time of Bible reading and prayer, and was rooted in her deep trust in the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, Joanne requested contributions be made to Calvary Church Global Ministries.
Due to COVID-19, we invite you to VIEW THE GRAVESIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE HERE and offer memories and condolences below.
Kathy Smith
Wonderful lady! I always enjoyed chatting or praying with her at prayer meetings. Wonderful family legacy. Prayers and thoughts for you all….very kind!
John and Carol Walls
John and I are sad with you as you mourn your Mother’s home going.
We send our deepest condolences and prayers for God’s comfort during this time. We didn’t have the priviledge of knowing your Mother but know her legacy lives on in her family. Lovingly, John and Carol Walls
Cary Campanella
Please know that Karla and I are with you in prayer during this difficult time. Your mother was a pillar of our church and such a shining example of the love of Jesus. She leaves such a remarkable legacy for all of us to emulate and we are all better off for having known her. Praise the Lord that we do not grieve as those who have no hope! Love to the whole family!
Genine Zigrang
What a beautiful tribute to Joanne. She has left such a rich legacy to your family and the many lives she touched as she served the Lord and lived a life honoring to Him. I am sure when she entered the Lord’s presence she heard Him say “Well done good and faithful servant”
Anna Fillgrove
May we each strive to leave a legacy as she has… A prayer warrior whose example of servanthood will reach forward for generations.
Praying that you would feel the promised presence and comfort of God today.
Marge Egy
What a lovely and loving service. Her life is a testimony to God’s love, provision and faithfulness. I didn’t know Joanne well, but can see that the testimony of her life illuminates an example for anyone who truly loves the Lord and wants to share that love with others. Bless you, Joanne.
Amber Lo
May the Lord comfort Mrs. May’s family. Mrs.May was my landlady when I lived in Millersville. We kept in touch throughout these years. I still sent her an annual Christmas email and newsletter last year. She will be missed until we see each other again in Heaven.
Beth Weaver
Jay & I loved your Mom so much! During the years that Rebecca and Jiten lived with her we had many wonderful meals around her table. What a lovely service and tribute to the Lord, her love for the Lord evidenced by her prayer notebook, her calendar and her checkbook. It was great to be part of the service via the video link. May the Lord’s comfort be very real to all of you as you grieve the loss of such a precious Mother and Grandmother! Beth & Jay
Rachel Byler
Rachel Byler
Beautiful memorial service!
Great memories of your mom/grand mom!
Jere and Judy Brubaker
God gave the world a special gift when He gave us Joanne.
She was a wonderful cousin but more than that a very caring
friend. Our sympathies to her family. We will all miss her.
John & JoAnne Zliczewski
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. We are sure she will be missed very much! I, JoAnne, did not know her well but remember she always had a smile on her face. John worked with her in Sunday School, and he always remembers her being very pleasant took the time to say hello. We would imagine right now she has a permanent smile on her face as she got her heavenly promotion!
George & Mary Duff
Joanne was a champion of prayer for the Calvary Church global partners. She led the Africa prayer group for 20 years and always encouraged me and others to be faithful in this significant ministry.
Thank you for sharing the family graveside memorial to her life giving us a further glimpse of faithfulness to her Savior! Praying for you all!
James Brubaker
As Joanne’s young brother — ten 1/2 years younger — I always admired my big sister Joanne, and no less so as I became taller than she. She was a model of a humble, dedicated child of God, a true servant, as she was awarded “the Order of the Towel” at her church, Calvary Church, several years ago, acknowledging her service. And she was also truly a prayer warrior, and generous financial supporter for God’s work. We miss her already, but truly rejoice for her, knowing where she is with her Savior she treasured so much.
Dianne McConaghay Hackman
Dear Jim, Julie, and George. What a kind and special woman your mother was. What a wonderful tribute to her God-centered life. I never knew she was part of LH Brubaker. I deal with them almost every day at work!8
I know you are going to miss your wonderful mother but you’re rejoicing that your parents are reunited and with their saviour!
Bruce MacKilligan
My sympathies to all in Joanne’s family, especially to Joyce, who was so close to my late wife, Nancy, cousin to Joyce. It has been many years since I saw either Joanne or her late husband, Jim, but I have fond memories of so many in the family.
Kurt and Lora Miller
That service was a fitting tribute to a godly, self-sacrificing child of the King. May we strive to emulate the faith in action she so humbly displayed for the glory of God.
Don Kitchen
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful servant of our wonderful Lord. Your Mom, Grandma, and loved one radiated the love of Christ and blessed the lives of so many as she served Him, and others, in so many ways through the years. The Word of God in Mt. 25:21 rings out ” Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”.
Roy Brubaker
Sending our deepest sympathy for your loss. Know that we and others are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Roy and Diane Brubaker
Nancy Sebastian Kuch
Grateful for cousin Joanne’s faithful testimony and example of godliness. Missing her… Praying for her glorious family – love you all.
Sandi Fry
What an honor to know your mother, sister, and grandmother! I have only recently joined her circle of friends. I have known her 2 years as the group leader at her table at Study and Share and in our ABF. Her knowledge, quiet way, and insight was such a pleasure to witness. I regret not being in her life before this time. I see her standing with her fellow saints with our Lord in Heaven.
Leon Brubaker
I ‘d have to say that I didn’t know my cousin, Joanne, very well. I was born the year she graduated from high school. When I was a boy, I would sometimes accompany my dad (Roy) on business visits to the Strasburg shop. I remember seeing her at work in Uncle Lester’s office. I would also see her busily tending her family at the annual Brubaker reunions through the years.
While I was glad to see that she could join us at Dad’s funeral in December, I am sorry that I could not be present for hers. Thank you for sharing the video of the graveside service. All that was said of her did not surprise me but made me evermore grateful for the goodness of the Lord. Thank you for sharing her legacy with us and may it continue to live on through you, her family, and those many lives she has touched.
Louanne Wissler
Dear May Family,
We share in the sadness of the loss of your mother and in the joy of knowing she is in the presence of God.
We trust God’s grace will see you through this time of sorrow.
Love in Christ, Tucker and Louanne Wissler
Rebecca Ningshan
Joanne was my mother, grandma and my best friend, all three in one. I lived with her from 2002 untill 2014 when I and my family went to the mission field. It was through her I experienced God’s unconditional love and acceptance. Truly grateful for her life and the legacy she left for us to emulate. Missing her, her prayer and just talking to her.