We rejoice in the life of a lost friend, coworker

My week has been filled with a mixture of emotions.

The morning of March 20, I received a text about the death of a friend and former coworker.

I worked with Kay Moody for decades. We shared sad and happy times. We often helped each other through difficult events and rejoiced together.

One of the happiest times was when she learned her daughter, Nancy, was expecting her grandson, Tristan.

For most of her life, Kay walked wherever she was going. Kay didn’t drive. She told me once, she could drive, but she said the driver’s examiners and she didn’t see eye-to-eye.

When she was working, I occasionally dropped her off for various appointments, or we would do errands together.

One of her special pets had to take medication to keep calm. We would tease about going for doggie downers. Kay loved the dog so much, she would have gone without something to get the medication.

Trying to be healthy, we’d walk after work at Whiteley Park. Following the walks, we’d also think we were solving the world’s problems as we relaxed, drinking iced tea on her front porch, enjoying her yard, which brightened the neighborhood.

While she was kind and generous, Kay also was direct and honest. Sometimes, we didn’t always enjoy her direct honesty, but in our hearts, we respected her advice.

Kay’s faith was strong and I know she’s in a better place. Her eyesight is now perfect and if desserts are on the menu (especially doughnuts), she’s enjoying them.

While she is enjoying her favorite foods, her coworkers are missing some of the best biscuits and gravy they’ve ever tasted.

We will miss you in our lives, but thank you for being our coworker and friend. Thank you for your honesty.

A celebration of Kay’s life will be held from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at New Home General Baptist Church, 1864 State Highway AA, Poplar Bluff.

We’ll remind everyone even though you loved flowers, you want us to help the pets by making donations to Hearts for Rescue, 452 County Road 565, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. Don’t get mad when we stop to smell the roses; we think about you.

Barbara Ann Horton is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic and can be reached at bhorton.dar@gmail.com.