Mrs. Wilma Reeves Kay, 92, of Anderson, passed Sunday at NHC of Anderson.
Born in Seneca, SC, she was the daughter of the late Ola Mae and Wilson Reeves. Although her first name was Dorothy, everyone knew her only as Wilma. She was married for 67 years to the late John Cullen Kay, II, of Abbeville. She worked as a nurse in Bamberg for many years, before moving to Anderson in 1963. A longtime Anderson resident, she retired as the head fitter of the lingerie department from the original Gallant Belks Department Store in downtown Anderson. She had a huge heart and a strong spirit; her family and friends were the most important facets of her life. She was a devoted wife and mother, and dedicated to her two longest friends, Mrs. Dot Weeks and Mrs. Juanita Hester. Constantly generous with her time and her home cooking, she was always there to ease the load of someone else’s burden with a prayer and a meal. She was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Anderson, and her faith in prayer was her strength.
She was preceded in death by her husband John C. Kay, II; her children, John “Dickie” Kay, III, of Ehrhardt; William Charles “Charlie” Kay, of Anderson; and Wilson Jerome “Jerry” Kay, of Chester; and her siblings, Sarah Reeves King of Anderson, Margaret Reeves Dezendorf of Atlanta, GA, William Reeves of Anderson, and James Reeves of Seattle, Washington.
Survivors include Grandson John C. Kay, IV and wife Christie, and great grandsons Cullen and Christopher, of Greenville, NC; Granddaughter Sharon Wellman and husband Michael, and great grandsons Hunter and Donald of Augusta, GA; and Granddaughter Mary Ann Todd and husband Jessie of Chester, SC. The family wishes at this time to express their gratitude for the care, concern, compassion, and assistance consistently shown by longtime family friend, Juanita Hester. Mrs. Hester is considered a family member, and her devotion to Wilma will always be remembered and appreciated.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sullivan-King Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. Paul Frey. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. Wednesday at the mortuary, 3205 North Highway 81, Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Mrs. Kay’s name to the Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY
www.sullivanking.com