Karen June “Kay” Carter Conaway

July 26, 1958-May 11, 2024

God transplanted a beautiful flower from earth into Heaven when Kay passed unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm May 11, 2024.

Born in Broken Bow, Okla., she spent most of her life in the Dale bottom where she graduated from Dale Public School in 1976 and continued her education at Rose State and East Central University.

Kay was known as a stellar athlete, playing basketball for the highly successful Dale Lady Pirates. Capping her career, she make the OGBCA All-State team. She also played  field hockey at ECU, scoring 7 goals in one game!

Kay’s true gift was nurturing children. In 1991, she became a mother to her son Wesley Eugene Wasson in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1992, more joy came when Kay gave birth to her spunky baby girl, Simmi Raye Wasson. Ever the teacher, Kay instilled the love of exploration, reading, crafts and a pure joy of nature to her children.

Life lead her and the children back to Oklahoma where Kay continued to nurture children by teaching at the YMCA.

Kay met and later married Mike Conaway and gained a bonus son, Michael Conaway. Kay became the cafeteria manager at Dale School. Miss Kay, as the kids called her, was loved for her kindness and her big heart.

Kay and Mike moved to Lake O’ the Pines in Avinger. She was in her element there, surrounded by water, flowers and  immersed in sunshine, all with a book in her hands. 

Kay is survived by her husband of 25 years, Mike Conaway; son Wesley and wife Blair Wasson and grandson Weston Michael Wasson; daughter and husband Simmi Raye and Dylan Boyd, grandsons Layton Boyd, Gunner Boyd and coming soon granddaughter Scarlett Kay Boyd; son Michael Conaway and gransons Shelton and Cohen Conaway. 

Kay is survived by her siblings: sister Cecey Plunkett, Ron Carter, TL Carter, David Carter, Richard Carter, Dean Carter, and Carole Carter; Her in-laws John Plunkett, Cindy Carter, Kathlene Carter, Kristy Carter, Chong Carter, Carol Testa, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceeding her in death: her mother Dorothy June Carter, brothers, Kenneth Carter, Kelly Carter, Ricky Carter, Scott Carter, and sister-in-law Alice Carter. 

The peace she now has in Heaven is worth the discomfort we feel in our hearts at the loss of this beautiful soul, wife, mom, sister, KK, auntie and friend.

Kay never would say goodbye, because those words were so final. Then and now let her leave us with her unique “Peace Out!”