Kay M. Woodruff

Kay was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma on May 26, 1935 to parents John and Faye Barnhart. Kay attended public schools in Tonkawa graduating as a salutatorian from Tonkawa High School in May 1953. Kay began her musical career early at age 7 and became an accomplished pianist and organist at age 15. She served as church organist for five years from age 15 to age 20 at the First Christian Church in Tonkawa. Kay attended Northern Oklahoma Jr. College in Tonkawa for two years and went on to Oklahoma University graduating in May 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in music education. Kay taught public school music for one year in Ponca City, Oklahoma and then married Paul R. Woodruff Jr. of Ponca City, Oklahoma. The couple then moved to Tyler, Texas where Paul was working as a Junior Geophysicist for Pan- American Oil Company. In Tyler Kay continued her music as organist at the First Christian Church in Tyler. She also taught music part-time in Tyler public schools. After a year in Tyler, Paul was transferred by the oil company to Lubbock, Texas. In Lubbock the couple had their only child, Mark David who was born on April 19, 1960. In Lubbock the couple was active members of the First Christian Church of Lubbock. After one year the couple was transferred by the oil company to Midland, Texas after one year in Midland, Paul decided the frequent moves were not for him and the couple moved back to Lubbock where Paul entered with the G.I. Bill and graduated from Texas Tech with a Master’s Degree in government with a minor in history. While in Lubbock Kay served as organist for the First Christian Church for one year. In 1964 the couple moved to San Antonio, Texas where Paul obtained a job as instructor in government at San Antonio College, where he then worked for 35 years retiring in May 1999. Kay continued her music career through these moves teaching piano to students in the home. In 1967 Kay became organist at Windcrest Methodist Church where she served eleven years stopping in 1978. She continued teaching piano to students in the home holding recitals every year and serving in several professional music organizations in San Antonio. She was also active in the college wives organization at San Antonio College. In 1991 Kay retired from all music teaching due to increasing difficulty with arthritis in her hands. She and Paul continued an active life with their social activities in San Antonio and a lot of traveling in their spare time. In 2009 as a result of worsening of her arthritis and osteoporosis Kay was confined to bed where Paul and caregivers took care of her. Kay was a beautiful person her life centered around family and music. Kay is survived by her husband Paul Ray Woodruff, her son Mark David Woodruff, her brother John Barnhart Jr., his wife Delores and their three children Michael and Dale Barnhart and Debra Ray and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place at Sunset Funeral Home on Thursday October 22, 2015 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with funeral services to take place Friday October 23, 2015 at 9:30am at Windcrest United Methodist Church 8101 Midcrown Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78239 with interment to follow at a later date in Tonkawa, Oklahoma.