November 10, 1935 June 17, 2024
Margaret Bell Kay, 88, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, June 17, 2024, at Pine Grove Nursing Center. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Strong Cemetery in Huxley with Ryan Mason and Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating.
Born November 10, 1935, in Center, Margaret Rose is the daughter of Arthur W. and Ruby Cain Bell. She graduated from Strong High School in 1953 and married Elwood Kay on November 10, 1953. Their union was for 56 years and ended upon his death September 8, 2010.
She was a lifelong resident of the Dreka and Huxley communities of Shelby County, Texas. She loved to garden and maintained a picture-perfect yard and flower beds her entire life. She delighted in cooking pies for friends and family. You were truly blessed to have been gifted with one of her pecan, coconut, or chocolate pies. She also grew a vegetable garden in which weeds and grass didn’t venture to grow. Neighbors shared in her harvest, be it tomatoes, corn, peas, green onions, or greens.
Margaret loved to share the bounty of the many flowers she nurtured. She gladly would dig up clumps of Iris, Daylilies, or Hardy Hibiscus to gift family members and visitors.
She worked various jobs throughout her life, one of her favorites was driving a Shelbyville school bus. Her kids loved and respected her, and she loved them too. She never spent her income on herself. She used it to provide a loving home. She also operated Rodgers Harbour on Toledo Bend, making lifelong friends with people near and far, never leaving at night until all fishermen were back at the dock. She retired in 1980 to being her favorite job of Nana.
She is survived by her daughters by birth, Deborah Morgan and Kim Kay; daughter by choice, Sherre Bowers; granddaughters, Kilie Mason (Ryan) and Codie Buchheit; grandchildren, Danielle, Caleb, Rex, and R.J.; and sister, Lois O’Rear.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur W. and Ruby Cain Bell; her husband, Elwood Kay; her brothers, James and Charlie Bell; and her sons-in-law, Aubrey Morgan and Billy Bowers.
Pallbearers will be her great grandsons, Caleb Mason and Rex Buchheit; nephews, Chance Cansler, Jason Bell, and Mark Kay; and special friend, Phillip Scarbrough. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Kay, Buddy Kay, Bubba Bell, Craig Jordan, and Shane Corbell.
Margaret’s wishes were that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Strong Cemetery, PO Box 1383, Center, Texas 75935.
The family would like to thank Pine Grove Nursing Center, Heart to Heart Hospice, and Christian Love Private Home Care for the tender care they provided during their mother’s final months.
Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www. watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com