Jennifer Lynette (Kusgen) May

Born April 6, 1983 to proud parents Dennis Kusgen and Patricia Lane, Jennifer Kusgen was the eldest granddaughter of Clarence and Mertyl Kusgen, Les and Carol Harrington, and Thompson and Mary Caldwell. She was born in Columbia, Missouri, and spent the majority of her childhood in Laquey, Missouri with her brother Billy “Boogie” Rains, sister Ricki Rains, and cousins Nakia and Johnny Lewis. Her step-father Billy Rains Sr. helped to raise her. Jennie (as she preferred to be called and was known by anyone fortunate enough to have met her) attended school in Laquey, Missouri. She played softball and volleyball and was well liked and respected by her classmates. In June of 1999, she met her soul mate DeWayne May, whom she would spend the rest of her days with. On January 1, 2003, DeWayne and Jennie spoke their vows to each other, and began living as husband and wife. They were legally wed at Harmony Baptist Church in Buckhorn, Missouri on March 16, 2005. In doing so, Jennie gained two stepchildren, Genesis and DeWayne May, whom she loved dearly. She spent her professional adult years as a waitress, a job that she enjoyed, very much as evidenced by her great attitude and constant smile. Her hobbies and interests included scrap booking, photography, going anywhere with her husband and step-children, as well as spending time with her brother (who lived with her most of her life after she left the home at age 16), and sister. Jennie left us on November 11, 2009 at 1:58 pm, after complications from a serious illness. She was just 26 years old. Her smile and unforgettable personality will be missed by all who knew and came in contact with her, as the world has suffered a great loss in losing this precious soul. She leaves to mourn her passing: her husband, DeWayne, step-daughter, Genesis, and step-son, DeWayne, all of the home; her father, Dennis Kusgen of California, MO; her mother, Patricia Lane of Waynesville, MO; her brother and sister Billy “Boogie” and Ricki Rains of Waynesville, MO; her grandmother, Mary Caldwell of Laquey, MO; her grandmother, Mertyl Kusgen of California, MO; her grandparents, Les and Carol Harrington of Vinita, OK; her father and mother-in-law, Bearl and Faye May of Waynesville, MO; her sister-in-law Melissa May of Waynesville; brother and sister-in-law Damon and Amber May of Morrison, CO; brother-in-law Matt May of Prescott Valley, AZ; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, a soon-to-be-arriving niece or nephew, and many friends. Receiving her into Heaven will be Tasha Kusgen, Jennie’s sister, Thompson Caldwell, Jennies’ grandfather and most special man in her upbringing, and Clarence Kusgen, grandfather from her father’s family. Jennie May will be greatly missed, but never forgotten… Memorial services were held at 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory with Rev. Christopher Hendrix officiating. Several friends recalled their wonderful memories of Jennie and her husband DeWayne gave a beautiful eulogy celebrating the life of his wife. The songs “Love, Me”, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” and “Goodbye” were played. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jennie May and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory.

Jennifer Lynette (Kusgen) May

April 6, 1983 - November 11, 2009