Rennie May Etheridge

Rennie May Etheridge entered into her eternal glory and met her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of friends and the countless lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey of faith, compassion, and service.

Born on April 8, 1941, in Macon, Rennie was the beloved daughter of the late Henry Calvin May Jr. and Leila Hall May. From an early age, it was evident that she possessed extraordinary gifts and an unwavering determination that would shape a life devoted to caring for others and glorifying God.

Rennie was a true pioneer in the field of nursing and healthcare administration. A graduate of Miller High School for Girls in 1959, she Studied at the Wesleyan Conservatory of Music, where she learned music theory and harmony for seven years. Her love for music began at the tender age of five when she first sat at the piano, and throughout her life, music remained one of her greatest joys and ministries.

She later graduated from the Macon Hospital School of Nursing and continued her education, earning a degree in psychology as well as a Master of Science in Nursing Administration. Rennie’s professional accomplishments were groundbreaking and far-reaching. She assisted in opening the first coronary care unit in Georgia and served as Assistant Director of Nursing at Macon Hospital. In 1970, she was selected a year in advance to help open Coliseum Park Hospital while it was still under construction, becoming the hospital’s first Director of Nursing and the first nurse consultant for Hospital Corporation of America.

Her passion for excellence in long-term care led her into consulting work across eight southeastern states. Rennie first consulted with Goodwill Nursing Home before establishing a successful private consulting career, where she became widely respected for her knowledge, leadership, and dedication to improving patient care. She also served on advisory boards committed to establishing schools of nursing at Macon Junior College and Georgia College in Milledgeville, helping write curriculum with an emphasis on long-term care and state and federal regulations.

Though her professional achievements were many, Rennie’s greatest calling was her faith in Jesus Christ. She faithfully served the Lord through numerous churches including Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, Mabel White Baptist Church, Porterfield Baptist Church, and Lighthouse Community Church. She taught Sunday school classes, ministered through music as a gifted pianist and organist, and lived every day as a devoted prayer warrior.

Among her favorite musical selections to play were Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” and “I Asked the Lord,” pieces that beautifully reflected her gentle spirit and steadfast faith. Whether seated at a piano bench, comforting a patient, teaching others, or lifting someone in prayer, Rennie radiated grace, wisdom, and kindness.

She never met a stranger and possessed a heart large enough to embrace everyone she encountered. She dearly loved children, treasured her many friendships, and considered her church family among life’s greatest blessings. Rennie especially cherished and loved her pastor, Reverend Ricky Tidwell and Melinda Tidwell, as well as her beloved friends Evelyn, Belinda, Brenda, Jennifer, Gail, Michelle, Doug, Dianne, her devoted nurse Megan, her caretakers, and the entire family of friends at Lighthouse Community Church.

Rennie’s life was one of extraordinary achievement, unwavering faith, and unconditional love. Her legacy will continue to live on through the countless patients she cared for, nurses she mentored, churches she served, friends she encouraged, and family members whose lives were forever enriched by her presence. She was truly one of a kind a pioneer, a servant, a musician, a teacher, and above all, a faithful follower of Christ.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23