Obituary of Kay Kingsley

Mrs. Karen Elizabeth “Kay” Kingsley, a resident of Ozark, died Sunday evening, January 17, 2021, at her home. She was 76 years old. A private, family graveside service will be held for Karen at Claybank Cemetery in Ozark at a later date. Kay was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 27, 1944, during her father's service at Columbia Army Air Base during World War II. Her parents, Staff Sergeant William Benjamin “Krack” Kingsley and Mildred Deese Kingsley returned to their hometown in Ozark, to raise their family. “Kay” graduated from Carroll High School in 1962 and attended Auburn University, married, and moved to Houston, Texas where she lived and worked for over thirty years. One of her most fond memories was working as a medical transcriptionist for the medical team caring for the “Bubble Boy” at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. She finished the second half of her career as a legal secretary for Baker-Hughes, an offshore management corporation. Following retirement, she moved to Panama City, Florida, before settling in Dothan and Ozark. Kay will be remembered for her spirited personality, love of art and jazz, and passionate interest in military history. Her fondness for all things unconventional always made for delightful conversation in her presence. From 2017 to 2020 she co-authored three books about Dale County, Alabama’s Gold Star Soldiers in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. She is survived by her three siblings, Frank D. Kingsley and wife, Renee of Ozark; Berta K. Blackwell and husband, Billy of Ozark; and Tom A. Kingsley and wife, Chris of Fort Mill, South Carolina. And her beloved nieces and nephews: Jamey Kingsley, Jennifer Kingsley Hinson, Andress Blackwell, Janan Kingsley Hussey, Kimberly Kingsley Martin, Sydney Blackwell Newsom, Stephanie Kingsley Brooks, and Hillary Kingsley. She will be forever remembered as “The Fun Aunt”. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Claybank Cemetery Association, Inc., 344 North Oats Street, Dothan, Alabama 36303.