Carol Butler May, 78, was born in Portsmouth, VA but resided in Myrtle Beach, SC.  She passed peacefully November 28, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Carol was the second youngest of the late Benjamin F. Butler, Jr. and Stachi Balon Butler.  She was predeceased by brothers Benjamin F. Butler III and Donald R. Butler and sisters Barbara Butler Kilpatrick of Rocky Mount, NC (John), Doris Butler Carr of Suffolk, VA and Sandra Butler Vogt of Front Royal, VA.

Survivors include her beloved husband Lawrence J. May of Myrtle Beach, SC; her daughter Stacy Kroll (Andrew) of Jupiter, FL; grandson Jakob Kroll of Miami, FL; stepson Lawrence J. May Jr (Martha) of Naples, FL; sisters Virginia Butler Gustavson (Walter) of Chesapeake, VA and Susan Butler Ballard (Gary) of Suffolk, VA; and many nieces and nephews and their children, whom she dearly loved.  She is also survived by her loving cat Tucker, who will miss their naps and cuddles.

Carol graduated from St. Paul's High School in Portsmouth, VA with honors.  She went directly into the workforce and worked several positions until she found her most satisfying job as a recruiter.

Carol and Larry relocated to Washington, DC for his job, and that's where she excelled in recruiting for the major defense contractors.  After the last move to Myrtle Beach, SC she continued as a senior recruiter for Western Governors University.  She recruited PHD faculty for the Mathematics Dept.  She loved this but had to finally retire because of her illness.

With the deepest gratitude we recognize the compassion and dedication of her wonderful, caring doctors and nurses at the Grande Strand Cancer Center, Grande Strand Hospital and the Medical University of South Carolina.

The family will be available from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High St., Portsmouth.  A Liturgy of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 522 High St., Portsmouth. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens in Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the fund of your choice.  Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.