She was born November 22, 1941 to Forest and Pauline (Couch) LaVanway in Marion, Indiana. She grew up in Riverside, Michigan and graduated from Coloma High School. Soon after graduation she married John Burtchett and lived in Coloma until 1971. They moved with their family to Southwest Missouri, where they resided until 1984. In 1984 they moved to Greenwood Arkansas, then later to Claremore, Oklahoma. She worked as an accounts payable clerk for UPCO before retiring.
Kay moved back to Greenwood after the death of her spouse. She was a former member of the Claremore PILOT International Club, an active volunteer of the South Sebastian County Historical Society and enjoyed visiting with people in the community. She never met a stranger.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Burtchett, her parents, three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her daughter, Theresa Burtchett of Greenwood and her son, Timothy (Lona) Burtchett of Monett, MO.
Visitation with family will be from 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday, August 9 at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood. Burial will be at Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora, MO at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the South Sebastian County Historical Society, PO Box 523, Greenwood, AR 72936 or the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church food pantry, PO Box 938, Greenwood, AR 72936.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
