Kathryn Woodard Lazenby

Kathryn (Kay) Woodard Lazenby, 85, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2022 after a brief illness. She was born in Nashville, TN, the daughter of Kathryn G. and Benjamin E. Woodard, who richly and lovingly blessed her life. Kay is survived by her daughters, Kathy Boehm (Don) and Grace Lazenby, who were her heart and joy, as well as her grandchildren Alex, Kayce, and Ginny who kept her spirit young and her heart merry.

Her friends were her family and her treasure on earth. Her art and her poetry were her passion and her blessing. Her love of beauty, laughter, joy, and celebration of life were her daily bread.

Kay was born in Nashville, TN and attended Parmer School and the Harpeth Hall School. She then attended Bradford Junior College in Haverhill, MA for two years. It was during that time that she began painting seriously, studying in Gloucester, MA under the tutelage of Umberto Romano. Kay continued to paint and has created many beautiful works of art. Upon returning to Nashville, she graduated from Vanderbilt University.

Kay was a member of the Centennial Club and the Colonial Dames. While she was a member of the Junior League of Nashville, Kay shared her creativity and generosity with young children. She made paper mache puppets and used them to teach a host of young children their colors. She also took spent time with children at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, the Cerebral Palsy Center, and wherever children needed her. One of her most cherished memories was of a little boy who patted the bunny puppet and said, “Bye, bye bunny.” Those were his first words.

Kay wrote six books of poetry; she touched many lives with her ideas and their expression: “The softness of an unexpected tear released the light in my spirit. I saw the Red Bird soar from the green, green tree into the blue sky, taking my earthbound spirit into eternity’s home.”

The family is extremely grateful for loving friendship and service of Pam Barber, all of the kind and caring folks at Richland Place, the ladies from North Star Care–especially Bethlehem Aregai, Alemnesh G, Berhane G, and Ingrid M, as well as everyone from Alive Hospice.

Visitation with the family will be in Courtenay Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Pike, beginning at 10:00 am on Tuesday August 23rd, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 am; then, there will be a graveside service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery for family and friends. Active Pallbearers are Alexander G. Boehm, Donald F. Boehm, Thomas Woodard, Jr., John B. Woodard, David L. Greenlee, Thomas S. Stumb, and Lemuel B. Stevens III; Honorary Pallbearers are James F. Gallivan, G. William Coble, Marvin J. Nischan, Norris H. Neilsen, Lemuel B. Stevens, Jr., Paul R. Stumb III, Charles C. Zachry, Jr, and McCoy Campbell Zachry. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to either First Presbyterian Church or Stand Down Tennessee; otherwise, please touch another life by helping someone in need.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Lazenby family.