Snowie May “Joni” passed away peacefully at Air Force Village West Special Care Unit on 1/28/10. Joni was born Snowie J. Barnes on April 6, 1925 in Delight, Arkansas to Viola and William P. Barnes.

She was a Civil Service Payroll clerk and left home at 20 to travel to Korea, where she met her husband of 41 years. Army Lt. Colonel Herman John May, who preceded her in death in 1991 after 42 years of marriage. John & Joni lived in many states, finally settling in Riverside, California.

Joni was a homemaker and devoted mother who loved and excelled at cooking, sewing, gardening, hiking, ballroom dancing, and crossword puzzles. She loved big band music and line dancing, belonging to several dance clubs. She worked for a number of years for Riverside Unified Schools as a Special Projects Secretary.

Survived by her loving family: Son Michael L. May, Daughters Mary E. Hahn and Deborah J. May, Son in Law William J. Hahn Jr., Sister Patricia Hicks, Sister’s-in-Law Eleanor Jean Kelley and Mary Kathryn Bach, first cousin Sue McDowell, step-daughter Pamela Griffiths, and family, and many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her brother William Barnes, and long time friend and dance partner Howard Swoboda.

She was a vibrant, happy, full of energy person who will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Internment Service will be held on Thursday 2/4/10 at 11:00AM - Staging Area #1, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, California, with a Remembrance of her life held in the Crystal Annek room at AF Village West immediately afterward at 12:30PM on Thursday. Acheson & Graham Mortuary is Handling Arrangements. (951) 688-1221

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Filed under Obituaries

Sunday, January 31, 2010

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