TOMLINSON, Katie L. (Smith)

Funeral services for Katie Lue Kay Tomlinson will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, Dec. 30th at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Concordia, Kansas. She died Dec. 24, 2008 at Cloud County Health Center. Kay was born on Jan. 11, 1917 in Altus, Oklahoma to George S. and Sophia K. Smith. She married A.J. Tommy Tomlinson at Guthrie, OK. in 1938. The Tomlinsons were both lifetime educators in Oklahoma and Kansas. She taught English and Home Economics at Milan, Vinland, Woodbine, Dwight, and Burns, Kansas. Kay received her BA from Oklahoma College for Women and a MA from Emporia State. In 1964 she was one of the first teachers hired for the new Cloud County Community College (CCCC) in Concordia. She taught English and was head of the department for 21 years before retiring in 1986. The college awarded her the first Outstanding College Educator Award. Kay participated extensively in the education community serving as president of Kansas Council College English Association and state vice-president for Delta Kappa Gamma. She organized the Phi Theta Kappa national honor fraternity at CCCC and became state advisor. When she retired at the age of 69 she continued to be actively involved on committees for the restoration of the Brown Grand Theater in Concordia. She served on the Vestry of Church of the Epiphany and was president of St. Annes Guild. In her free time, Kay was a prolific poet, avid gardener, and devoted grandmother. She also loved to knit, play bridge, and participated in the Improvement Club. She would want to be remembered as a Great Teacher. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, two brothers, and three sisters. She is survived by a daughter Carol Conway and husband Barry, a son Kent Tomlinson and wife Carol, three granddaughters, Angela Conway and husband Joel Christie, Janalynn Dixon and husband Chris, and Lisa Tomlinson, and one beloved great grandson Josh Howard. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be sent to A Grand Day in care of the Brown Grand Theater in Concordia. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia. Visitation at the funeral home from 12:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday and before services at the church. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia. Online condolences to.