Kay Calvin Sanford was born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on November 26, 1939 to Forrest and Louise (Hall) Calvin. They moved to Rogers, Arkansas when her dad became manager of the downtown Harris Hotel from 1943 to 1958.
Kay graduated from Rogers High School in 1957. She attended the University of Arkansas for one year before enrolling at the University of Tulsa, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961. She was also a member of Who's Who in Americal Colleges her senior year. After moving to Dallas, Texas with her family in 1970, Kay attended Texas Women University and graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1977.
Kay met her husband, Ray at the University of Tulsa, they married in December of 1960 in Ray's hometown of Attleboro, Mass. In Dallas, Kay taught freshman and sophomore English, World Literature, World History, and Technical Writing at Brookhaven Community College for 22 years. She also taught business letter writing under the name Write Image, to companies in the Dallas area, American Airlines, IRS, Fidelity Union Life, Hunt Oil, along with banks, lawyers, engineers. Kay and Ray retired to her hometown Rogers in 1999.
Kay always wanted to be a writer. She finally wrote a mystery book, with a Brookhaven teaching friend, called DOUBLE SHOT. She was also chosen to be one of fourteen writers for the book OUT of DALLAS submitted by professors of Dallas area colleges. She was an avid mystery book reader on a daily basis. Kay loved the history of Rogers, and became President of the Friends of the Rogers Historical Museum, along with helping to keep the monthly Rogers History Club going for several years.
To cherish her memory are her husband, Ray, children, Gretchen of Lake Worth, Texas, and Mark of Cleveland. Ohio. They were the love of her life. Kay gave freely of her time, wisdom, and love. She was also a great source of knowledge and inspiration. She will be greatly missed.
Visitation Services will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday; September 5, 2019 at Benton County Funeral Home 306 N. 4th St. Rogers, Arkansas. A Family Graveside Service will be held 10 a.m. Friday; September 6, 2019 at the Rogers Cemetery, Rogers, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay's memory, may be made to: Friends of Rogers Historical Museum, 1200 W. Walnut Street, Suite 1084, Rogers, Ark. 72756. Online condolences can be made at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

Published September 4, 2019