Kay Morris Rupp

Kay Morris Rupp, a long-time resident of Winter Park, FL, died June 10 in Black Mountain, NC after a long battle with cancer. Kay was born in Clearwater, FL February 16, 1945, the daughter of L. Allen Morris and Ida Akers Morris.

Anyone who met Kay will never forget her. She was not interested in superficial conversations. Instead, she was a gifted listener and could hear the deeper story behind the words and responded in ways that touched a person’s soul to the core. Thus, her responses were often unexpectedly meaningful and life-giving.

Kay’s passion, true to her Christian witness, was to know and care for others deeply. Her favorite scripture was Romans 12 which guided many of the decisions in her life. She had a knack for making others comfortable and deeply seen. Kay’s generous heart always reached out to help when possible, asking little or nothing in return. She loved seeing someone helped, comforted and understood and seeing their pleasure in life increase.

Kay was also passionate about philanthropy. As director of the Steward’s Fund, she searched out creative and innovative organizations and ministries that use sports and the performing arts to reach the next generation with the Good News of Jesus Christ. She also supported excellent medical care providers who focused on underserved people, especially in parts of Africa where the needs were truly significant. Kay traveled to Africa numerous times to monitor the quality of care provided and to assess specific

points of need. It was a great joy for her to watch the organizations she helped go from

surviving to thriving.

As a gifted teacher, Kay homeschooled her sons for several years. Kay felt we all spend

too much time pursuing pleasure and relaxation, masking our true need is to pursue

purpose, meaning and a deep, passionate care for others.

Kay loved spending time in her home in Black Mountain, NC, where she developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and where she and Gary hosted memorable family reunions. Kay particularly enjoyed family vacations in our national parks with Acadia’s stunning autumn colors especially high on her list, along with any place she could snorkel on coral reefs. Yet, nothing made her face light up as when her grandsons called her “Nana”.

During the isolation of the pandemic, Kay and Gary created a small farm in Black Mountain, raising animals to surprise and delight her family and friends. Her favorites were the rare Valais Blacknose sheep and Highland cows. It was her pure delight to play with the newborn lambs each spring!

Kay graduated from Belhaven University, Jackson, MS and completed a master’s degree in counseling from the Psychological Studies Institute at Georgia State University, Atlanta.

Kay is survived by her husband, Gary, sons Nate, (Whitney), Cartersville, GA; Benjamin, (Hannah), Winter Park, FL; brother, W. Allen Morris (June), Coral Gables, FL; sister Ida Bell, (James), Atlanta, GA; two beloved grandchildren, Andrew Rupp and Benjamin Brave Rupp and 18 nieces and nephews; 31 grand-nieces and nephews; one great niece, and one great nephew.

A service is will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park, FL on Tuesday, June 18th at 3:00pm. A viewing will take place on Monday, June 17th from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Park, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the following:

CURE International

70 Iona Avenue SW, Suite 200

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-512-3105

Fellowship for Performing Arts

630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1409

New York, NY 10036

World Sports

P.O. Box 2607

Bonita Springs, FL 34133