She was born on May 28, 1943 in Fayetteville, NC to the late D.K. Taylor Sr. and Charity Maria McInnis Taylor. Kay attended Fayetteville Senior High School and graduated Wake Forest University with her Bachelor of Arts. She met the late Howard Alan Wilcox of Dundee, NY while both lived in Virginia Beach, VA and they were married on December 17, 1966. They had son Alan Douglas Wilcox in 1969 and daughter Elizabeth Leigh Wilcox Kinnell in 1971. The family lived in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Durham, Goldsboro, and Punta Gorda FL before returning to Cary NC where they spent their later years.
Kay was a high school English and French teacher, bank teller, and tax preparer. She volunteered with the Durham Junior League and was a devout Methodist who actively served her congregation in several capacities, especially those benefitting children and under-resourced community members. In retirement, Kay and Howard enjoyed traveling across the United States, visiting family and friends, and being active in the lives of their grandchildren. Kay made close friends everywhere she lived and was loved by all who knew her.
Kay is survived by her children, Alan Wilcox & Elizabeth Leigh Wilcox Kinnell; grandchildren, Taylor McConnell Kinnell, Quentin Wilcox Kinnell, and Lizzie-Kay McInnis Kinnell; sister, Martha Sue Taylor Boggs; son-in-law, Jason Christopher Kinnell (Melody); and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, David Kinnie “Bud” Taylor Jr.; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
The family is under care of Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Kay requested donations be made to the following organizations: Durham Rescue Mission, TROSA, Genesis United Methodist Church of Cary, Dorcas Ministries, Samaritan’s Purse, or the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by using the links below, under 'Donations'.
A Celebration of Life was held in Cary, NC at Genesis United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 1:00pm.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Kay, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.
