May 22, 1924 – October 26, 2020
“Butterflies appear when angels are near”--in honor of the Lake Jackson “butterfly lady” who will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Stella Vitula Alcott, known to most as Kay, began her heavenly existence on October 26, 2020 at the age of 96. She was born to Samuel Josiah and Kate Mills Kite on May 22, 1924, in Weir, Mississippi. Upon her graduation from Weir High School, she began training affiliated with the WWII US Army Cadet Nurses Corp at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She was introduced by her future mother-in-law to her 286th Combat Engineer son, Robert Stanley (Bob) Alcott, Jr., who she later married on April 14, 1946 in Memphis. They were happily married for 56 years until Bob’s death on August 21, 2002.
Bob’s employment with the Dow Chemical Company brought them to Lake Jackson in 1951. Kay’s community impact evolved from her roles as a devoted wife and supportive mother of 3 involved children which earned her respect and affection from everyone. She was an early member of the First United Methodist in Lake Jackson where she molded young Christian hearts in the Sunday School nursery for 47 years, a lifetime member of the South Texas Girl Scout Council and a Thanks Badge recipient recognizing her 32 years of volunteer service, a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy Lamar Fontaine Chapter #33 and the Daughters of 1812, and a Lake Jackson Promenaders Square Dance Club honorary member.
Her disciplined farming upbringing near the Natchez Trace shaped her wholesome country values—appreciative of her opportunities, humble of her accomplishments, respectful of the sacrifices made for her freedoms, and compassion for others that are less fortunate. Because of this, she was nominated and recognized for her community involvement as a 2008 finalist in the Brazosport Facts/ Brazoria County Citizen of the Year Award and on May 22, 2015, the Lake Jackson Mayor proclaimed it to be Kay Alcott Day.
She supported the Lake Jackson Historical Museum (some of her Army memorabilia can be seen in the 1920-1950’s clothing exhibit), the Brazosport Symphony, the Brazosport Art Center, the Keep Lake Jackson Beautiful clean-up campaigns as a registration volunteer, and, especially dear to her heart, the Military Moms program. She provided transportation to those who had lost their ability to drive, listened compassionately to those needing companionship in local hospitals and retirement communities, shared her garden flowers in recycled glass jars, loaned reading materials to avid homebound readers, and regularly attended luncheons with both longtime friends and new acquaintances. Her enthusiasm for life earned her an ambassadorship in her assisted living and nursing homes.
Even though she brightened the world of her many friends of all ages and abilities with her compassion and care, her family was always a sense of pride for her. She was the CEO of the Alcott family support team for all scouting adventures, sports participations, Brazosport and Brazoswood High School band, choir, and sports activities, and many family RV adventures (much anticipated by all). She enjoyed gardening, all things bluebonnet, coin collecting, water walking, favorite foods (some that only she could appreciate!!), Alcott and Mills families genealogy research assistance with Bob, seasonal hatching of monarch butterflies (to the delight of the neighborhood), placing quarter bets during football season – and, of course, Bingo rules!!
As a childhood polio survivor, she conducted ongoing research into post-polio syndrome and treatments which she always forwarded to her local physicians. She was the primary caregiver for her mother-in-law, Esther Rose (“Mickey”) Alcott and her husband, Bob, in their later years. Despite her own physical limitations and challenges, she joyfully continued to do what she loved to do while fulfilling her life’s motto of “Life Goes On” until God was ready to welcome her home.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Josiah and Kate Mills Kite, her beloved in-laws, Robert Stanley, Jr. and Esther Rose Rowley Alcott, and 7 siblings.
Kay is survived by her three children and their spouses, Robert Stanley (Stan) Alcott, III (and wife, Lori) of The Woodlands, TX, Patricia Gail (Pat) Alcott Brashear (and husband, Jeff) of Midland, TX, and Katie Lynn Alcott Stevenson (and husband, Rea) of Arlington, TX. She is also the proud grandmother of Ashley Marie Alcott, Ryan Jeffrey and Kelly Patrick Brashear, and Benjamin Rea and Andrew Robert Stevenson and great-grandmother of Beckett Avery and Stella Kate Stevenson, and River Rose Stevenson, numerous nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to her as Aunt Vitula, and a world of treasured friends.
The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at Oak Village Health Care and A-Med Hospice for the compassionate and loving care Kay received during her last 3½ years.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Park – The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery. A family memorial service and internment will be held at a later date with burial reuniting her with her loving husband, Bob. Online condolences and fond memories may be expressed at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/the-woodlands-tx/stella-alcott-9869494. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that her friends make contributions in her honor to their favorite charity.
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