Jayne Kidd

Jayne Darsey Kidd, born March 23, 1932 to Ruby Frances and Guy Percy Darsey in Austin, Texas, died on December 3,2024 at the age of 92. Jayne passed away in the comfort of her family. Her husband of 66 years, Rodney Desmond Kidd, Sr., passed away a year prior on November 12, 2023.

Jayne was a graduate of Austin High School, class of 1950. Jayne admitted, later in life, that she was present when the long lasting “Seniors Fifty" graffiti was originally painted on the Railroad Trestle Bridge crossing over Town Lake. After high school, Jayne attended Ward-Belmont College for Girls in Nashville, Tennessee and subsequently graduated from nearby Vanderbilt University.

In 1955, on a blind date, Jayne met her future husband, Desmond. They were married the same year at the University United Methodist Church. Together, they had 3 children; Kelly, Guy and Des Jr.

Jayne fiercely loved her children and remained active in their lives up through their adulthood. When Kelly was a teenager, Jayne organized an informal group called Parent's League that was focused on helping parents know where their children were at all time. In the 1970s, some thought this was "overkill" but in today's world it seems even more important.

While her children were young and continuing thereafter, Jayne served as a member as a President of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum Guild and Fiesta Chairman. As Fiesta Chairman, Jayne was the first to implement “security” during the 2-day art exhibition which at that time consisted of her husband, his relatives, their neighbors and any tall male friends roving the Fiesta grounds on walkie-talkies. Jayne was also a past President of the Junior Austin Woman's Club, Settlement Club of Austin and Women's Symphony League.

Jayne's career as a Real Estate Broker began in 1975, and she loved everything about it. Jayne and Desmond built and sold eleven different homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Friends would often ask where home was, to which Jayne replied, “wherever we all show up.” Beginning in 1981 through 2015, Jayne was proudly associated with Amelia Bullock Realtors and built a special group of girlfriends that took trips to Colorado, Port Aransas and many Longhorn games.

Although Jayne and Desmond's travels included places such as London, Monaco, Bermuda, Alaska and even Halibut fishing in Milbanke Sound, British Columbia, their favorite place to visit was Port Aransas for fishing, relaxing & spending time with their grandson, Kai.

Throughout their lives, Jayne and Desmond were lifetime Longhorn fans. Attending as many games as possible into their late 80’s. In their later years, she and Desmond became Bridge-aholics. Jayne loved her bridge groups, and it was known in the family that nothing should ever be planned that would interfere with bridge.

Jayne is survived by her three children Kelly Kidd Card (Brad), Guy Darsey Kidd, and Rodney Desmond Kidd, Jr. (Jennifer), grandson, Kai and cousins Marilyn Adams of Brownfield, RayAnne Carlock of Colorado City and Gary Hill of Fairview.

We would especially like to thank Wilma Reed for the last 50 years she has taken care of the Kidd Family. We would also like to thank Annie De La Torre and Michaelli Vaz for their love and care for the last few years.

A Memorial Service will be held on December 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705.