Emily Kathryne "Kay" Garlington

Emily Kathryne “Kay” Garlington, age 79, of Fordyce, passed away on Tuesday, December 4, at St. John’s Place after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Kay was born in Fordyce on September 15, 1939, to Richard and Annie Mae Reynolds Holt. She led a wonderful life, spreading her kindness and generosity to everyone, and she was dedicated to her family, church, and friends. Her compassionate personality and beautiful smile were rays of sunshine to everyone she met.
Kay was a graduate of Fordyce High School where she was a Redbug Cheerleader and President of the Senior Class of 1957. She married her high school sweetheart, Buster Garlington, in 1958 and spent the next 60 years of her life devoted to her husband and loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as her parents, siblings, special friends, and classmates. Her greatest pride and joy was talking about her family and sharing pictures of them with everyone. She attended every recital, ballgame, birthday party, graduation, and golf tournament with her sweet smile and her heart full of pride and joy. Birthdays and holidays were a delight to her, as she made each one extra special. Her children and grandchildren can tell of loving visits with her, drinking her homemade hot chocolate or lemonade, sampling one of her desserts, watching movies together, sharing funny stories, planning shopping excursions, or just looking at family pictures.
Kay grew up in Fordyce in a happy home full of love and laughter. Her siblings, Barbara, Linda, Jimmy, and Tommy, could all share many fond memories of their childhood years. Their parents, Richard and Annie Mae, were known to all for their kindness and generosity. Kay proudly continued their kind-heartedness throughout her life. She also loved every one of her FHS Class of 1957 classmates, remaining in touch with all of them through the years.
Kay was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Fordyce. She dearly loved her church and church family, and she seldom missed a Sunday service. Kay faithfully taught the Kindergarten Sunday School Class for 37 years, touching the lives and hearts of many children as she shared bible stories and played delightful children’s songs. She was a long-time member of the Mary Mays Circle and served on various boards and committees in the church.
Kay worked for over 35 years as Bookkeeper for Attorney Thomas Sparks and assisted with the family hardware business. Kay was an active member and served as Treasurer in the Fordyce Culture Club and the Fordyce Scholarship Association. Kay’s many hobbies included cooking, reading, shopping, playing the piano, playing bingo, working crossword puzzles, cheering for the Redbugs and Razorbacks, and most of all, spending time with family and loved ones. Friends and family both agree that Kay was the sweetest, most loving and caring person you could ever meet with a true heart of gold.
Loved ones left to cherish Kay’s blessed memory are: her devoted husband of 60 years, Buster Garlington of Fordyce: two children, daughter Lisa Garlington Knoedl of Fordyce and son Chris Garlington (Donna) of Huntsville; two sisters, Barbara Holt Henderson of Sherwood and Linda Holt Holmes (Carrol) of Fordyce; one brother, Jimmy Holt (Sandi) of Fordyce. She was affectionately known as “Mammaw” to her grandchildren: her “Sunshine Girls” Aimee Jones Waldrep (Kevin) of Fayetteville and Allison Jones Senn (Tyler) of Prairie Grove, Kristofer Freeland (Nicole) of Little Rock, Laura Freeland Sanchez (Edward) of Berryville, and Justin Freeland (Jacinda) of Sheridan. Kay’s great-grandchildren included Natalie Waldrep, Stella and Hadley Freeland, Edward Sanchez, and Lexie, Lanie, and Trenton Freeland. She is also survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Annie Mae Holt, and brother Tommy Holt.
Kay would be in awe of the outpouring of love and support shown during the final span of her illness, and her family has been deeply touched by the many acts of kindness. The family will also be forever grateful to Dr. Hugh A. Nutt, Arkansas Hospice, and the dedicated staff at St. John’s Place for the loving care and compassion shown to her during her illness.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 9, from 6:00-8:30 P.M. at Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. A service celebrating Kay’s wonderful life will be held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Fordyce on Monday, December 10,
at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Phil Smith and Dusty Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Fordyce. Memorials may be made to Fordyce First United Methodist Church, 4th and Spring St., Fordyce, AR. 71742. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce,
www.bentonfuneralhome.net .