Kay Garcia

Evelyn Kay Garcia, age 74, of Maplewood, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at her home, with her loving husband, John, and son, Sean, by her side each holding one of her hands. Everyone knew her as Kay. Her personality, vibrancy, zest for life, and loving and kind heart were best reflected by her middle name.

Kay was born at home on October 22, 1946, in Strawberry, Arkansas, a daughter of the late Oris Julian “Duke” and Rachel Maxiola “Maxie” (Whitmire) Lackey. Being born at home in a farmhouse may be why Kay loved staying at home with loved ones. Paradoxically, she also loved to travel, see new places, and always enjoyed making new friends.

Kay was John’s best friend and constant companion living in six states and eleven homes. She was funny, alive, sweet, and beautiful. Kay retained a sense of joy, of optimism every day, and was always humble and compassionate to others.

She met John at church in Wichita, KS when she was 12 and John was 13. They started dating when Kay was 17 and married on May 14, 1966, when she was 19. John was born in London, England, some 4,500 miles from Strawberry. But somehow, in Wichita of all places, they found each other for a loving marriage of 54 years.

Kay is survived by her devoted husband, Colin John Garcia; loving son, Sean Andrew Garcia; proud grandmother to Maxwell “Max” Donovan and Zachary “Z” Alex Garcia; dear siblings Tommy Wayne Lackey and Brenda Sue Reed; extended family and many wonderful friends.

After graduating from Wichita South High School in 1964, Kay’s first job was as a carhop at a fast-food drive-in. While dating, John loved visiting her at work and leaving her all his loose pocket change as a tip. No matter how large or small the tip, Kay always sweetly smiled her brightest and said “thank you.” She retired in St. Louis from Southwestern Bell Telephone, General Headquarters, in 1991 after 25 years of service, accepting an early retirement package. Kay, in 1965, started as a long-distance operator in Wichita and retired as a second-level Area Manager-Business Product Development and Management.

Having completed one year at Wichita State University, Kay went back to college while working at Southwestern Bell. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree from Saint Louis University in July of 1992, fully seven months after her early retirement. Kay was always dedicated to finishing everything she started.

Kay loved her family and developed an interest in genealogy researching multiple family trees. She enjoyed reaching out to family members far and wide by email, letter, phone calls, and personal visits. One of her greatest joys was caring for her two young grandsons, whom she adored. Kay enjoyed being outside in nature whether alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and camping in trailers and motorhomes in Oregon, Colorado, across much of America, and Canada. Together, Kay and John hiked up mountains in America, Canada, Scotland, and New Zealand. She also enjoyed cooking, wine tasting, visiting wineries while traveling, home decorating, reading, and doing her genealogy research and documentation on the computer.

In 2012, she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, in 2014 she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and in 2016 diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Kay also had back problems and back surgery in 2015. Despite occasional pain and her diminishing physical and mental abilities, she seldom complained and tried to “do” for herself as much as possible. Even when Kay was unable to speak and barely move, her kind, gentle loving personality continued to shine in her twinkling eyes and even in the slightest hint of a smile.

SERVICES: The family will briefly greet friends starting at 12pm until the Memorial Service, Saturday, October 23, 2021, 1:00 pm at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street at Watson. All are invited to remain after the service for a reception and to continue sharing stories.