Carol May Obituary (1945 – 2021) – Tucson, AZ

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MAY, Carol Ann (Adams)

76, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors of Wisdom Natural Brands® (maker of SweetLeaf® sweeteners), returned to her Heavenly Father with her family on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 back in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Carol was born on July 31, 1945 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She then moved to Phoenix, Arizona with her family at the age of 15. Two years later, Carol received a scholarship to study acting in New York City. Her lifelong passion was the love of the theater. However, fate came when Carol met the love of her life, James May. The two were married on November 22, 1963 at Mesa Arizona Temple and their future with James began. The couple shared a life of love. Together they had six children: David, James Jr., Steve, Michael, Shannon, and Erin. Even though she had a full house, Carol was successful in her education. She graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in Psychology in Magna Cum Laude; MA in Education, Summa Cum Laude, Northern Arizona University; MC Degree in Counseling Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, Arizona State University. In 1985, Carol joined her husband at Wisdom Natural Brands (now in Gilbert AZ) and together they built an international company that operates in over 50 countries.

Carol received five international Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2014 and 2015 (including Lifetime Achievement, Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive of the Year in Business, Lifetime Achievement, and Entrepreneur of the Year in Consumer Products). Carol was named a Top Women in Grocer by Progressive Grocer Magazine in 2013, the Sun Devil 100 at Arizona State University in 2017 and 2019, and the ASU President’s Club in 2019. Carol was inducted (with her husband) into the prestigious Natural Products Industry Hall of Legends 2016. She was named one of Arizona’s 50 Most Influential Women in 2015 by AZ Business Magazine and one of Arizona’s Most Admired Leaders in 2019.

As a Health and Wellness Ambassador, Carol enjoyed attending Dean’s Council of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Arizona State University and working with her Department of Psychology in developing preventive research on dietary sugar intake to reduce the risk of health and wellness cardiovascular risk. Carol was a member of the American Heart Association’s Industry Nutrition Advisory Forum. She represented her company in the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors of the East Valley Partnership. She has previously served on the Calorie Control Council and the Women’s Alliance, both international groups, and has been active in state and regional programs for children and families, as well as in children’s hospitals.

Carol focused on improving the quality of life of others. She loved family history and was a member of the Arizona State Genealogy Association. Her commitment to family, business, and community has been relentless. Over the years, Carol served on the ASU Psychology for Life Advisory Board; Banner Health, Pediatric Advisory Board; Regional Advisory Board on Infant Metabolism Testing; Advisory Board of the Ministry of Education from AZ for chronically ill children; Member of the Advisory Board of the Ministry of Health from AZ (Department for Children); Member of the Committee on Pediatrics, Maricopa County Medical Society; Advisory Board for the Food and Beverage Industry; Member of the organization of women in international trade; Member of the American Herbal Products Association; Member of the Institute of Food Technology and the National Specialty Food Association; and in various volunteer positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Carol was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a beloved friend to many, near and far. She will be remembered as a tireless, always-focused business leader, community advocate, and Wisdom Natural Brands® ambassador for health and wellbeing. Their company’s products enable consumers to make more comfortable and better nutritional choices to meet the needs of a busy lifestyle. Carol’s legacy will forever be remembered as she is committed to being part of everyone’s journey to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

She leaves behind her sons Steve and Michael (Christine) and daughters Shannon (Jay) and Erin and seven grandchildren: Nathaniel, Emily, Andrew, Daniel, Jonathan, Chloe and Julia.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on August 15, 2021.

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