Kay Kavanaugh McKneely

November 1, 1934 – May 10, 2025

Kay Kavanaugh McKneely, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Angleton, Texas, as the result of a stroke.

Born in Beaumont, Texas on November 1, 1934, Kay was two years old when her family returned to their homestead near Gilliam, Louisiana, where she grew up with a deep love for horseback riding and the great outdoors. Some of her fondest early memories were from attending Camp Fern in Marshall, Texas during the summers, where she made lifelong friends. She graduated from Vivian High School in Vivian, Louisiana, before attending Louisiana Tech University.

While at Louisiana Tech, Kay met the love of her life, Roy McKneely. They wed in 1955, and celebrated 70 wonderful years of marriage this April. After Roy’s service in the army, which included a year living together in Orléans, France, they settled in Lake Jackson, Texas and raised their three children: Fran, Phillip and Keeth. Kay was generous to her friends and community, serving as a Charter Member of the Brazosport Junior Service League when it began in 1970, and loving to cook and bake for others. Chicken spaghetti, pecan pies and chocolate sheet cakes were among her specialties.

After having children, Kay worked for three years as a secretary at Dow Chemical before discovering her true passion at the age of 36: GOLF. With characteristic determination and discipline, she quickly learned the game. She often joked that once she started playing golf, her house cleaning became a lot more efficient so she could hurry out to the golf course! Her sense of camaraderie and competitive spirit made her a cherished member of the Riverside Country Club Ladies Golf Association, where she made many friends and was the Club Champion nine times. She played regularly until 2011, when back surgery significantly impacted her mobility and forced her to stop playing in her late 70s.

She was a faithful member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Lake Jackson for over 65 years. There, she spent many years manicuring the church’s flower beds, was a founding member of the Garden Guild and participated in a Bible study.

Kay also loved to play bridge with friends, and she was an avid reader and kept up with current events until her stroke. She was lovely company – thoughtful, warm and welcoming, with a great sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, J.R. and Frances Kavanaugh; her brothers, Richard and Robin; and her son-in-law, Alan Hammond. She is survived by her husband, Roy; her three children: daughter Fran Hammond, son Phillip McKneely (Shelly) and son Keeth McKneely; her four grandchildren: Tricia Hammond (Carles Jou), Mark Hammond (Leanne), Cason Hammond and Caitlin McKneely; and her sister-in-law, Sharon Kavanaugh.

A service will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 200 Oyster Creek Drive, Lake Jackson, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, http://www.stimothy.org/.