Obituary

Sterrett, Phillip S., Mrs. (Grace Katherine (Kay) Rea)

Graveside services for Kay Rea Sterrett, 85, of Midland, TX, were held at 2 pm Friday, January 30, 2004, in the Abernathy Cemetery with Dr. Jonathan Deily, Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Midland officiating.

Memorial services were held at 11 am Saturday, January 31, 2004, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Midland, Texas with Dr. Deily, and Mary Beth Anton officiating.

Services were under the direction of Abell Funeral Home of Abernathy, TX.

Mrs. Sterrett died on Sunday, January 25, 2004, in Midland, Texas.

Grace Kathrine Rea was born December 22, 1918 in Longview, Texas.

She was a graduate of Longview High School in 1935 and Texas Tech University in 1939. She married Phillip S. Sterrett August 11, 1939. Their first home was in Abernathy, Texas. In 1943 they moved to Plainview, Texas and in 1944 they moved to Clovis, New Mexico. By 1952 they moved back to Abernathy where they lived until 1961 when they moved to Amarillo. Their last move was to Midland in 1988.

She was active in the Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school, was a member and officer of Women's Organizations and Circles. She served as an elder in Amarillo and various Presbytery committees. She was also a Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Time Member.

She was a member of Abernathy Study Club. She started Sew and Sews at Trinity, a group that made quilts for babies of the church, AIDS baby quilts and other gowns and blankets to be donated around the world. These experienced quilters lived by "When life gives you scraps, make quilts!"

She traveled all over the state to see Texas landmarks and special events with another favorite group, OFF's (The Over Fifty-five's). She traveled extensively around the world to places like Korea, Norway, and Europe. Additionally she was a member of the En Ami Book Review Club of Midland.

Kay was a Girl Scout leader for her daughter's troop and led troops from the Amarillo Presbyterian Children Home. She was honored with the Girl Scout Thanks Badge.

Along with her life time companion, Phil, she participated in numerous Lion Club activities, including recycling eye glasses and the annual pancake breakfast.

Kay will be remembered by her numerous friends as a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a servant of the Lord. She always had a full cookie jar and a sewing project nearby. To show her love, she made hundreds of ABC quilts for young at-risk babies and those undergoing chemotherapy.

She was preceded in death by her husband Phil, mother Grace Kountze, father Frank T. Rea, and great grand-daughter Katlyn Michelle McCoy.

She is survived by her brother, Frank T. Rea , Jr. and his wife, Beverley, of Houston and her children; son Bill Sterrett and his wife Kay of Farmer's Branch, daughter Betty Ann Prentice and her husband Dick of Midland, son Tom Sterrett and his wife Karen of Richardson, son David Sterrett and his wife Anne of Austin, foster daughter Chris Gasser of Arvada, Colorado, Karl and Anna Franzl of Hallettsville, Texas, an adopted refugee couple from Czechoslovakia, and their children Richard Franzl and Carolyn and Randy Honish.

She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and their spouses: Lori and Stephen Teipel of Denver, Colorado; Mark and Rachael Sterrett of Jacksonville, Florida; Kappy Prentice of Plano; Rob Prentice of Dallas, Mary Elizabeth Prentice of Dallas; Tricia Sterrett of Avon Park, Florida; Taren and Nick Walters of Gretna, Nebraska and Maria Sterrett of Austin; and three great-grandchildren; Bryce and Tyler McCoy of Beaumont and Alex Lobozzo of Avon Park, Florida.