Mary Elizabeth "Mary Beth" Ward Kay, 83, of Atlanta Georgia passed away on October 20, 2021 at her residence. Mary was born on July 29, 1938 to Milton Eugene Ward and Ethel Worley Ward in Savannah, Georgia. Mary Beth graduated from Estill High School in South Carolina where she was named Salutatorian of her graduating class. She was a cheerleader and homecoming queen during her high school years. In 1956, she married W. Gordon Kay, Jr. of Allendale SC while he was attending school at Clemson University.
They lived in Greenville South Carolina for 18 years and later moved to Atlanta where she lived the rest of her life. Her favorite hobbies were reading, flowers and gardening. She was also a wonderful cook and enjoyed having family gatherings especially at Lake Lanier. She thoroughly enjoyed her two grandchildren, Mitchell and Kara. Mary Beth enjoyed traveling with her husband when he was working and later enjoyed trips during retirement especially to Hilton Head Island.
She loved her two social groups - The Gator Girls of South Carolina and her special friends from Hunters Crossing and enjoyed entertaining and cooking for everyone. Mary Beth was also a member of several Garden Clubs over the years. She was a member at various Methodist churches, the most recent was Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, W. Gordon Kay, daughter Jennie Elizabeth Kay Drummond (Gary) and her sister Ethel Worley "Bobbie" Ward Goettee. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Kay Phillips (Michael); and grandchildren Mitchell Ward Phillips and Kara Elizabeth Phillips.
Services will be held at Dunwoody United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 3:00. The burial will be at Lawtonville Cemetery in Estill SC on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 2:00. The family will greet friends following the service at the church.
