Kathryn "Kay" Marshall White

The second child of two to parents James Allyn Marshall and Elizabeth Parsons Marshall of Asheville, N.C., Kay was born June 24, 1935, in Morganton, N.C. She married her high-school sweetheart, Guy Haywood White III, after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Meredith College.

Kay and Guy made a home – and built seven houses – over 65 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband, and three children, David Marshall White (Carolyn); Marshall Allyn White, M.D, (Madison); and Kim White O’Quinn. She enjoyed 8 grandchildren and 3 and 7/9 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Allyn Marshall, and son-in-law, Jon H. Ryall Jr.

She first learned to play the saxophone in Asheville High School and she continued playing into her later years, often performing and touring for 25 years with the Columbia Community Concert Band and the Wild Irish Band while wearing a purple leather bomber jacket. A life-long political observer, she said recently, “I see no reason not to complain.” And she did. Perhaps owing to her family’s deep Appalachian roots, she enjoyed clogging and tap dancing.

A proponent of and cheerleader for advanced education, she also earned a Master of Arts in Education from the University of South Carolina. Kay touched the lives of hundreds of students as a classroom teacher and elementary school counselor in Richland County School District One and Lexington Two, including Timmerman, Crayton Elementary, Lyon Street Elementary, and Taylor Elementary schools. She even tackled learning American Sign Language to help her communicate with a deaf student. She often said her all-time favorite year of teaching was a fifth-grade class at Crayton Elementary. She retired from education after 30 years.

A service of celebration of her life and faith in the resurrection will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, January 3, 2022, at Shandon Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the life of Shandon for 60 years, including 25 years as an alto in the Chancel Choir and as a Stephen Minister. The Rev. Jenny McDevitt will guide the service. The family will welcome friends from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, January 2, 2022, at the home of David and Carolyn White. Please observe masking protocols during the service of celebration.

Among many others, the family specifically appreciates the medical professionals of the S.C. Presbyterian Community and Lexington Medical Center for their sensitive and capable care.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any memorials be made in her name to Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia, S.C., 29205, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.