Miss May Marshbanks, 95 of Buies Creek, NC died Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at Harnett Woods Nursing Home, Erwin, NC. She was the first-born child of Campbell University Professor and Vice President Burgess Marshbanks, Sr. and his wife, Lottie Link Marshbanks. "Miss May" grew up in Buies Creek, attended Campbell College, Meredith College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She did graduate work in music, math and education.

Miss May was a true renaissance woman - twice honored by the News and Observer as the "Tar Heel of the Week" - she received acclaim as an educator, musician, lady farmer, and Director of the Harnett County Council for Senior Citizen. She was the first woman principal of a North Carolina Public High School. She served Chapel Hill High School as counselor, assistant principal and principal.
Before Chapel Hill, Miss May taught at Boone Trail Elementary School in Harnett County and at Canton High School in Haywood County. An indication of her versatility is found in the variety of subjects she handled: music, fifth grade, English, mathematics and Latin. As an accomplished musician, church organist and choir director, she was soloist in operas and operettas, pianist, violinist, organist and alto soloist in church choirs. For many years after retirement as school principal, she served as organist and choir director of Buies Creek First Baptist Church.

Miss May's second career began soon after the death of her father. She retired from public education and moved back home to manage the family farm and care for her widowed mother. It was during these years she became interested in senior citizen work. Miss May established and managed the senior citizen program for Harnett County, an award winning program that became a model, and was copied by other counties and for which she was recognized again as "Tar Heel of the Week" . She retired at age 92.
Miss May received many awards and recognitions. Among them were: North Carolina Jaycees Outstanding Citizens Award; Future Teachers of American Award for "an excellent example of high teaching ability"; The Distinguished Alumna Award from Campbell University; North Carolina's George Maddox Award for "creative and outstanding work for, and with, senior citizens"; and North Carolina's "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" Award.

Two of Miss May's most treasured awards were given by the U.S Armed Forces. She was known for her skills in guiding some of her special students toward military careers and was recognized by the U.S. Air Force and Navy as an Honorary Recruiter. She carried these citations in her pocketbook as long as she lived.
In 2008, a broken hip and complications from a previous pulmonary thrombus forced Miss May's retirement and limited her physical activity. Her mental acumen, however, remained healthy and forceful until the end of her life.

Miss May was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Mildred Marshbanks Johnson of Lillington. Surviving are her sister, Nancy Marshbanks Bales and husband Jim Bales of Buies Creek; Brother, Dr. Burgess Marshbanks, Jr. and wife Mary Jane White Marshbanks of Buies Creek; Brother-in-law, W.A. Johnson of Lillington; eight nieces, one nephew, 13 great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Buies Creek First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Michael Simmons and Rev. Dr. John Rogers officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. A private burial was held in the Buies Creek Cemetery prior to the service.

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the choir fund, First Baptist Church, PO Box 160, Buies Creek, NC 27506; the Marshbanks Scholarship Fund, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506; or to a charity of one's choice.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Buies Creek First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Michael Simmons and Rev. Dr. John Rogers officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. A private burial was held in the Buies Creek Cemetery prior to the service.