Mary Katherine Anderson

Mary Katherine “Kay” Young Anderson passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family in Columbia, South Carolina, on July 13, 2025, after a brief illness. Born in Lake Milton, Ohio, on July 24, 1938, to Leroy E. and Theda D. Young. Kay was the loving sister of her late brother, Earl G. Young, of North Carolina, she left us just shy of her 87th birthday.

Kay married the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” L. Anderson, of Newton Falls, Ohio, and together they shared over 68 years of marriage. Before leaving Ohio, Tom and Kay ran a handful of small businesses, and Kay gave birth to their much-loved daughter, Cheryl A. Anderson McLaughlin (Sean).

In 1965, Tom and Kay made Columbia, South Carolina, their permanent home and also became parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and were lifelong supporters of the church and Cardinal Newman High School. Kay cherished the relationships made with her dear neighbors, who became lifelong friends and with whom she enjoyed many good times.

Having completed a two-year certification program in Leadership and Finance at the Mercantile Stores University Business School, Kay enjoyed a very rewarding and successful career with J.B. White, Co., serving as Fashion Director and in public relations for over 20 years. Upon her retirement from White’s in 1998, Governor David Beasley bestowed upon her the Order of the Palmetto, the State’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of her long-standing community service. She also was given the Key to the City by then Mayor of Columbia, Robert Coble. In addition, Kay was recognized as one of the Women of Achievement for her contributions to community service by March of Dimes. She became a well-known and beloved figure with those she served and certainly leaves a lasting impression on so many through her work, civic engagement, and personal grace.

Kay continued to work until 2005 at the Dental Offices of Dr. Frank Hart and Dr. Fort Jones. During this time and until recently, she enjoyed monthly get-togethers with her fellow J. B. White retirees.

Kay was an avid tennis player and golfer and was active in many of the local and state tournaments and events. She also shared a passion for fishing with her husband Tom and were well known in the Murrell’s Inlet flounder derbies, which always ended in a big fish fry with their friends.

Nothing brought Kay more pleasure than spending time with her much loved grandson, Tom. Never a day went by that they did not exchange phone calls or visits.

Kay was predeceased by her parents, her brother, and her devoted husband Tom, who passed just last year. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl of Columbia, and her grandson, Thomas “Tom” Woodward, also of Columbia. She is also survived by many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street, Columbia, on Sunday, July 27, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Catholic mass of remembrance will be held the following day on July 28 at St. Joseph’s Church at 10 a.m. and will be immediately followed by committal at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 12 noon.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Prisma Baptist In-Patient Hospital and Hospice, to the SC Oncology Associates teams, and to Dunbar Funeral Home for their loving, compassionate and attentive care provided. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Building Fund, www.stjosephcolumbia.org.