Kathy Rae Gruner

Born in Boonville, Missouri, and raised in Jefferson City, Missouri, Kathy was the oldest child of William “Bill” Anthony and Mary Anthony.

Kathy earned her bachelor of science degree in education from Central Missouri State University in 1980. Her career began as an elementary school teacher in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She also taught high school in Owensboro, Kentucky; middle school in Rolla, Missouri; and served as a children’s librarian in Muncie, Indiana.

After her husband accepted a position at the University of South Alabama (USA) in Mobile, Alabama, she began working for Mobile County Public Schools, first as a media specialist, Title I facilitator, and reading teacher at Vigor High School.

She chose to further her education at USA, where she earned her master’s in educational media, her certification in educational administration, and her educational specialist/educational leadership degree.

From 2002-2006 Kathy served as assistant principal at LeFlore High School. While earning her educational leadership degree at USA, she was an administrative intern at Loxley Elementary, Robertsdale High School, and Spanish Fort High School. From 2008-2013 she served as assistant principal at both Spanish Fort Middle School and Spanish Fort High School.

From 2013 until she retired in 2017, Kathy served as a curriculum supervisor for secondary schools in the Baldwin County Public School System in Loxley, Alabama.

Kathy was an outstanding and compassionate teacher and administrator who was dedicated to the success and well-being of students and teachers alike.

Though her accomplishments were many, Kathy’s greatest joy was her family. Kathy had a big heart and expressed her love through acts of service to her family, whom she adored. She and her husband, Dr. Greg Gruner, married in 1981 after dating in high school and college. Kathy was a loving mother to her daughter, Ashley Givens, and grandmother to her 20-month-old grandson - her “favorite little guy.” The love she had for her grandson was evident not only in the quality time she shared with him, but also in the books she would handpick for him and the pictures she would color for him during her illness.

Outside of school Kathy enjoyed baking and decorating her home, and she could always be found with a book nearby. Kathy also loved embroidery and sewing, though she would never admit she was any good. A quilt she began piecing and sewing by hand in college sat mostly finished for nearly 40 years. A small mishap early in the process left her short on fabric. After her diagnosis and as her cancer progressed, family and friends set out to complete it, even mailing it across the country for help from another quilter. The day before she was unexpectedly hospitalized, Kathy saw her quilt in person, with just a few finishing touches left. The quilt - a beautiful, rich brown and white design with pink flowers scattered throughout - was completed by friends just a few days before her death.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Greg Gruner; her daughter, Ashley Givens (Caleb), and her grandson, Everett, all of Mobile, Alabama; her parents, William “Bill” Anthony and Mary Anthony of Jefferson City, Missouri; her mother-in-law, Alice Gruner of Jefferson City, Missouri; her brother, Brant Anthony (Lisa) of Jefferson City, Missouri; her sister, Kim Overbey (Jeff) of Kearney, Missouri; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Bob Gruner.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Kathy’s immediate family will hold a private service, but recognizing those who want to honor and celebrate her life, details regarding a public memorial service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Kathy Gruner Memorial Scholarship for Future Educators at the University of South Alabama College of Education at giving.southalabama.edu/gruner. Checks made payable to the University of South Alabama and designated toward Kathy’s scholarship can be mailed to the University of South Alabama Office of Development, 650 Clinic Drive, TRP III, Suite 1525 Mobile, Alabama 36688.