Catherine Newcomb May
b. 22 October 1924, d. 30 May 2001
- Father: Hugh Waddell May b. 29 June 1886, d. 11 April 1967
- Mother: Nancy Pegues b. 3 March 1891, d. 8 June 1979
- Catherine Newcomb May was born on 22 October 1924 in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia.
- Hugh Waddell May and Nancy Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, at 637 Holly Road. Other members of the household included Catherine Newcomb May, Jennie Pegues May and William Leak Pegues. Also in the household were daughters Jennie (age 11) and Cathrine (5).
- She married Richard Bailey Van Gorder on 21 August 1948 in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.
- The following appeared on 22 August 1948 in The Charleston Gazette: St. Matthew's Episcopal church was the setting yesterday afternoon for the marriage of Miss Catherine Newcomb May, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Waddell May of Holley Rd., to Mr. Richard Bailey Van Gorder, son of Mr. and Mrs. Myron C. Van Gorder of Fort Hill.
. . .
Escorted by her father, the bride was attired in the wedding gown of her sister, Jrs. J. R. Tuckwiller, jr. . . .
She was attended by Mrs. Tuckwiller and her cousin, Miss Nancy Louise Hammond of Welch. . . Mr. Otis Abernethy, jr., was best man and Messrs. J. R. Tuckwiller, jr. and Kenneth L. Cox were ushers. . . .
Assisting at a reception at the May home were Mesdames J. D. Woodrowe, C. F. Woodroe of Arlington, Va., H. P. Meadows of Beckley, Robert Stephens, Thomas Stanley, Houston Mosely, the Misses Doris Titcher and Betty Wilson. . . .
Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sheffey, Mr. and Mrs. Emile Joffrian of Bluefield, Mr. and Mrs. Moore Roberts and daughter of Fairmont, Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Hammond of Welch, Mrs. O. M. Pegues of Ellerbe, N. C., Miss Anita Bouldin of Philadelphia, Mr. H. P. Meadows and Miss Ida Jane Meadows of Beckley.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorder, graduates of Charleston high school, are taking a western motor trip and will reside at 4001 MacCorkle Av. on their return. . . . .
The bride, whose father is associated with the Fred W. Smith Co., is employed in the office of the Evans Lead Co. Her husband, an employee of the Bowling Sales Co., attended West Virginia university and Morris Harvey college. His father is sales manager for the Mower Lumber Co. - Catherine Newcomb May died on 30 May 2001 at age 76 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, at her residence.
- The following appeared on 31 May 2001 in the St. Petersburg Times: Catherine Van Gorder, 76, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (May 30, 2001) at home. She came here in 1959 from her native Charleston, W.Va. She was a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Charleston and was a retired executive secretary for Dr. Peter E. Dawson of St. Petersburg. She served in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II. Survivors include two sons, Richard, St. Petersburg, and Preston, Treasure Island; a daughter, Nancy, St. Petersburg; and a granddaughter. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.
- Last Edited: 2 May 2015