PADUCAH, Ky. — Kay Karen McBride, 84, passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, after a prolonged illness.

Kay was born in Cape Girardeau in April of 1939, to parents J.W. "Brownie" McBride and Dorothy Price McBride. Kay spent her entire life living in the family's hometown of Cape Girardeau, and was a 1958 graduate of Cape Central High School.

She was employed with Southeast Missouri State University for 32 years as department head administrative assistant in the Speech and English departments. After retiring from SEMO in 2001, Kay continued her lifetime dream of traveling to European countries where she would make and visit many lifelong friends. Kay also loved to watch professional golf and college football.

Kay leaves behind three sisters, Mary Randall of Fort Worth, Texas, Terry Russell (Bobby) of Jackson and Jill McLean of Paris, Tennessee; one brother, Robert "Bob" (Janet) McBride of Paducah; one niece, Jennifer McBride of Newton, Massachusetts; three nephews, Darren Randall of Duncan, Oklahoma, Brad Randall of Cave Creek, Arizona, and Eric Russell of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother-in-law, Fred McLean of Paris, Tennessee.

Kay's final wish for no funeral or memorial service shall be honored and she will be cremated by Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah.

She wanted to thank the many health care workers and nursing staff at Southgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Metropolis, Illinois, for the exceptional care and love given during her prolonged illness.

Any expressions of sympathy should take the form of donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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