Sharon Kay Meredith

Sharon Kay Meredith was born in the early morning hours on July 3, 1946 as the sun was rising and the birds were singing.

Kay was the fourth and youngest child born to Helen and George Bonnell of Doniphan, Missouri. Kay had three older siblings: Wilford, Carol and Barbara Bonnell. Kay had fond memories of growing up in the Bonnell home in the southeast corner of Missouri in the foothills of the Ozarks. As Kay grew up, she enjoyed spending time with friends and being active. She told the story of learning to ride a bike with a friend by riding the bike down a hill. The Bonnell home was rooted in the Lord and Kay grew up attending church and Gospel meetings regularly. When the church doors were open, the Bonnell family was there!

After graduating from High School, Kay attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where she earned a degree in Physical Education. While at Harding, she met and fell in love with Harold Floyd Meredith of Hazelhurst, Mississippi. Floyd and Kay were married in Searcy, Arkansas on May 31, 1968 at the West Side Church of Christ. Immediately following the wedding, Floyd and Kay made the pilgrimage to West Texas where Floyd was pursuing a Master’s degree in New Testament from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. After finishing his coursework, Floyd and Kay moved to Ruston, Louisiana where Floyd served as the preacher at the Church of Christ. While in Ruston, Kay taught physical education at a local school. Floyd and Kay have such fond memories of their time in Ruston. They made dear friends that they would cherish for a lifetime. After serving at the Church of Christ in Ruston, Floyd and Kay returned to Abilene and Floyd began working at The Harold of Truth. Floyd and Kay would call Abilene home for the next 50 plus years.

In September of 1972, Kay became a mom when she gave birth to Jonathan David. In May of 1975, she gave birth to Laura Kristen. For the rest of her life, Kay would love and care for her children always placing their needs above her own. Kay was a child of God, a wife and a mother. Her heart was always for her family. The radio in the kitchen was always tuned into the broadcast: Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson.

While David and Kristen grew up, Kay managed her home, prepared countless meals, taught at Young Children’s World at Highland, visited the elderly, led exercises at a local nursing home, was the room mom for David and Kristen’s elementary school classes and attended Ladies Bible Class at Highland. Kay always had a heart for the elderly. She and Kristen would stay after Ladies Bible Class and quilt with the little elderly ladies.

The Meredith family was always at church sitting in the second row in the Highland auditorium. If the doors were open, they were there. Kay led and taught her children by example.

Kay was a gifted seamstress and made detailed dresses for Kristen and herself. She enjoyed gardening and always had beautiful flowers on her porches and in her yard. Kay had the gift of hospitality. She was an excellent cook. Through the years, hundreds of people sat around her round oak dining table while she served them food made from scratch. During the Holidays, Kay would bake bread and other goodies for various widows and widowers. The Meredith family would then drive around town and hand deliver the baked goods.

The Meredith family enjoyed countless camping trips through the years. Kay would effortlessly organize the trip, plan the meals, pack the camper and take care of every detail. Kay loved taking care of her family.

Kay loved being active. She enjoyed walking. (I could never seem to walk as fast as she would.) The Meredith family enjoyed playing tennis together, taking family bike rides, and hiking on camping trips.

Kay was a devoted wife and mother. She never missed a concert of the Abilene Community Band where Floyd was the percussion section or an activity for David and Kristen. Kay was always there. She and Floyd taught Sunday school classes for David and Kristen and organized the Highland Family Retreats held at the HEB encampment in Lakey, Texas. When David and Kristen went to summer camp, Kay was there volunteering. She and Floyd served as the Band Booster President while David and Kristen were in the band at Abilene High School.

In 1991, after David graduated from Abilene High, Kay began working in the Registrar’s office at Abilene Christian in order to put David and Kristen through college.

After David and Kristen graduated from college, Kay served as a substitute teacher in the Abilene schools and also worked alongside Floyd in his cabinet shop. Kay embodied the Wife of Noble Character as described in Proverbs 31. She loved and respected Floyd and put his needs above her own.

Kay never met a stranger. She was kind and warm and brought light to every person she met. Every person that knew Kay, loved Kay.

Kay never forgot a birthday or special occasion. Every year, David and Kristen would receive a card for their Baptismal birthday. Kay stayed in touch with nieces and nephews sprinkled all across the country. She called her Aunt Joye regularly.

In 2003, Kay became a grandmother and was affectionately known as KK to her five grandchildren: Austin David, Meredith Grace, Molly Elizabeth, Katie Ann, and Elijah Tate. Kay loved babies and young children. She taught David and Kristen how to become loving parents themselves. I, Kristen, will never forget mom staying with me for two weeks after Meredith was born. I watched as mom talked to this tiny little infant and cared for her every need. Through her example, I learned how to be a mom.

When Kay was with her grandchildren, she took pictures of them. When she returned home, she would print the pictures and put them in a photo album for each individual grandchild. Every picture was labeled. Each grandchild has multiple albums that KK lovingly made for them.

In her later years, Kay and Floyd learned how to country dance and had such fun dancing. They made wonderful friends and built a community through dancing. Kay and Floyd also enjoyed singing in the hospital to patients in Hospice.

On September 17, 2023 Kay left this world and was ushered into her Heavenly home and the presence of God.

Kay is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Harold Floyd, her son Jonathan David, her daughter in law Jennifer, and her daughter, Laura Kristen; her grandchildren, Austin David (19), Meredith Grace (19), Molly Elizabeth (16), Katie Ann (16) and Elijah Tate (6); her aunt Joye Johnson; her older brother, Wilford; her brother in laws, Pat Hile, Tom Miller, Bob Meredith and Ed Higginbotham; her sister in law, Loleta Higginbotham; her nieces and nephews, Kim Herman, Kendra Propst, Nathan Hile, Carmen Spivey, Michelle Reeder, Al Meredith, Locke Meredith, Bill Meredith, Debbie Meredith, John Ed Higginbotham, Amy Adair, Lee Meredith, Tommy Meredith, and Shane Meredith.

Kay’s life was one of love, devotion, faithfulness, and service; first to God, then to her family, and finally to every person who had the pleasure of knowing her. She will be deeply missed. As her children, David and I will strive each day to emulate her life and pass on to our children the beautiful qualities that she embodied. We love you, mom, and we look forward to seeing you again!

A Memorial Service for Kay will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, TX.