Kay Waters

(From Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home)

Kay P. Waters, 87, of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and former long-time resident of Parsons, passed away at 3:58 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Advent Health in Shawnee Mission. She had been in declining health, but death was unexpected.

Kay was born on September 28, 1937, in rural Jasper County, Missouri, to Harry Waters and Pansy “Pat” (Pendergraft) Waters. She graduated as Valedictorian of her Duenweg High School class, and later attended nursing school at St. John’s in Joplin.

As a child she travelled on Route 66 to southern California with her parents who were seeking jobs in the aircraft industry during World War II. That trip so fascinated her that she traveled the same route as an adult, able to point out motels, cafes, and sights she had seen decades before.

Kay worked as a public health nurse for the city of Joplin from 1958 to 1967 and later worked in the emergency room at Freeman Hospital. In 1970, the first Director of the Labette Community College Nursing Program urged her to apply for a nursing educator position in the fledging LCC program. She taught nursing at LCC for several years and then transitioned to teaching Sociology and related classes. She attended graduate level classes at Texas Women’s University, Pittsburg State University, and Missouri Southern University. She retired in 1996 after serving at the college for 26 years, first as an instructor and, later, as a division chair.

After her retirement, she served as a member of the college’s Board of Trustees.

Kay was a lifelong friend to animals and gave her time and talents to projects and organizations that supported animal welfare. She served many years on the Parsons Humane Society Board of Directors, and she co-managed The Thrift Boutique on Broadway in Parsons, the store’s profits going to the humane society. In addition, her work was instrumental in having the current shelter constructed.

In addition to her work for animals, Kay was involved in community and college theatre, and she had a special interest in English history. She also had a keen interest in current events and spent time traveling with friends in the United States and Europe.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Mitchell Waters, and a sister, Sharon “Sue” Bruey.

Survivors include a brother Harry Waters of Henderson, Nevada; a sister, Debra Thompson of Joplin; Janine Stokes, life-time friend and companion, and dear friends, Jean Rogers, Sue Hand, Barbara Roy, Sandra Harper, Lou Lyons, and Cynthia Lane.

Friends may call at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. There will be a grave side service at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Labette Community College Foundation or PALS (Proud Animal Lovers Shelter). These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.