Kay (Cornett) Whittaker

Linda Kay Whittaker was born June 24, 1943, in McClurg, Missouri, to Condy and Verb (Cox) Cornett.  Kay went to be with Jesus on August 9, 2021, with her family by her side.

She attended Bethel School one year then went to Bradleyville for 11 years and graduated in 1961.

Kay and Thurman were united in marriage on October 14, 1961, at Glescoe Roberts’ residence.  They are the love of each other’s lives.

Where one was you always saw the other one.  Together they were blessed with two sons and built a family that loves big. 

After they were married, they lived in Riverside, Missouri for a few months.  They then traveled to many states for Thurman’s work.  His construction job required them to move to Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.  After leaving his job in 1965 they moved to Bradleyville, Missouri where they started a cedar sawmill and farm life.  In 1973 they moved to the place that became their forever home.  Kay had lots of ideas on how to build their home, and Thurman built what she wanted with his own hands.

Kay was a devoted Christian lady who loved Jesus and everyone she ever met.  One of her biggest prayers was to see her family saved.  Kay was a member of the New Mansion General Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years.  If you were blessed to be in her class, you did not leave before knowing your books of the Bible.  She taught the books of the Bible with a song from Genesis to Revelations.  Kay enjoyed spending time with her family, and she didn’t miss very many ballgames.  Kay also enjoyed feeding her red squirrels peanut butter crackers, and reading her Bible, which she read all the way through several times.

Kay worked in Branson, Missouri, for several years and then chose to quit to help Sis take care of their mom.  Her family was her pride and joy, and Kay never met a stranger!  Everyone who knew Kay loved her.  She was Granny Kay to many people.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Nancy Todd, Doris Lambeth, and Sis (Wannetta Plumb).

Kay is survived by her loving husband Thurman; two sons Kenyon and wife Jeannie, of Linden, Missouri, Kelvin and wife Melanie of Bradleyville, Missouri; also loved as family Melinda Hall and husband Robert of Ava, Missouri; grandchildren Brent Whittaker, Christopher Whittaker, and wife Melanie, Tamra Whittaker, Mark Brumfield, Chelsie Burkhart, Derrick Puckett; also loved as grandchildren Hailey and Jaycee Hall; great-grand children Kaydence and Piper Whittaker, Cooper and Hattie Whittaker, Chance and Chase Chandler, Jayla and Bentlee Musselman, Heath and Alianna Arndt, Liam Brumfield, Jasper and Boone Burkhart; siblings Dean Reed, Juanita Dixon, Wondy Cornett, Shirley Johnson, Jo Johnson, and many, many other friends and loved ones.

Kay was extra, extra good to the love of her life, Thurman….she didn’t want anyone to know it.

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