Mary Carlene Kay

Mary Carlene Kay, 84, of Altavista, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, September 5, 2025.

Born on September 10, 1940, she was the daughter of Orville Eugene and Mary Eileen Koppenhauer. Mary is preceded in death by her brother, Karl Koppenhauer and her sister, Nina Little.

Mary was valedictorian of her high school class at Adams City High School in Adams City, Colorado. Mary went on to obtain her associates degree from Colorado Women’s College and her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech.

Mary was an avid reader, master gardener and enjoyed art and photography and had a great love for horses and animals. She was also a faithful member of Central United Methodist Church in Radford, VA and later transferred her membership to American Lutheran Church of Sun City when she moved to Arizona.

She is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Rosalind) Kay, David (Amanda) Kay, Jennifer (Chappy Chapman) Kay. Her grandchildren are Michael (Elizabeth) Baird, Christopher Baird, Kathlene (Jarret) Moon, Molly (Andrew) Riggle, Samuel Kay, Grace Kay and Joshua Kay. Her great grandchildren are Alexander Baird, Jonathan Baird, Ziva Moon and Jace Moon.

There will be no services at this time, but a memorial will be named at a later date.

The family requests that a donation would be made in Mary’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to a local animal shelter, in lieu of flowers.