Kay Sue (Burge) Carnagey

Kay Sue (Burge) Carnagey passed peacefully through Heaven’s gates on June 15, 2022, at OU Medical Center with her family at her side. She was born December 1, 1945, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, the daughter of Lavere and Winnie (Craig) Burge.

Kay spent her childhood in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, until moving to Shattuck, Oklahoma, when she was 15 years old.  Kay began her love for piano at the age of 13 after being asked to play for the church congregation.  During high school, she was president of the Library Club, played the clarinet in the school band, and worked as a soda jerk at Duke’s Drug Store.  Kay graduated from Shattuck High School in 1964, then attended Panhandle State University (PSU) through a rehabilitation scholarship because of her handicapped club feet.

It was at PSU where Kay met her soulmate, Billy.  She was active in the PSU band as a bass clarinet player, and met Billy while playing in the band.  They began their love with a date at the Arrowhead Drive-In after playing in the band for a PSU football game.  While at PSU, Kay worked as a server in the cafeteria and as an assistant in the Geology and Home Economics departments.  Billy loved walking through the breakfast line at 5:00 a.m. after milking cows at the college farm every morning because Miss Kay Sue was always ready to serve him heaping helpings of food.  Now that is true love. In 1968, Kay graduated from Panhandle State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education and a Minor in Secretarial. 

Billy and Kay were united in marriage on May 6, 1966.  Kay loved to tell the story of how their wedding was supposed to be on May 7th.  The wedding party was told to show up on May 6th for the wedding “rehearsal,” when in reality it was the real wedding!  Kay knew how ornery Billy’s friends were, so they decided to have the wedding and not tell anyone!  Kay and Billy welcomed their son Justin in 1969, and later welcomed their daughter Shannon in 1974. 

Kay and Billy returned home to ranch after graduating from PSU in 1968.  Kay assisted Billy in their hay hauling operation for many years, along with running cattle and farming.  It was truly a family affair. In the 90’s, Kay and Billy were honored to represent the community as Northwestern Electric Cooperative Minute People. 

Kay began teaching private piano and voice lessons at her home in the country in 1978, and soon began lessons in Laverne, Oklahoma.  In 1990, Kay was then given the opportunity to work for Laverne High School as the piano accompanist for the choir and show choir, adding grade school accompanist to her job description the next year.  Kay always mentioned her wonderful co-workers, and deeply loved Joyce Hughes, Marita Reichenberger, and Lou Ann Gillispie.  She worked 8 hours a day at school and also gave private lessons 4 days a week.  At times she would give private lessons to 80 students a week.  Kay loved helping her students prepare for music contests, and had many winning Miss Laverne contestants, including her daughter Shannon.  She was often referred to as a teacher/counselor because many of Kay’s students would use their lesson time to tell her about their life experiences and troubles.  Kay retired from Laverne Schools after 23 years of service, and later retired from giving private lessons when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018.  She was known as “Miss Kay” to those near and far.  Kay explained her teaching experience with the following; “Life is a growing experience, and I feel honored to have been touched by so many wonderful people.”

Kay’s blessings of joy were her kids, grandkids, and her great-granddaughter.  She enjoyed traveling to all of their concerts, speeches, music contests, dance competitions, track meets, and everything in between.  Kay was a thrifter and never bought anything at full price. She used a coupon for everything and had a passion for garage sales.  During the last few years, Kay enjoyed going to garage sales via FaceTime through her daughter and grandson.  Black Friday shopping with Shannon was one of her favorite events of the year.  Kay always had a chocolate cake made and in the freezer ready for any occasion.  She was known for her meatloaf, chicken fried steak, hot rolls, angel food cake, and homemade macaroni and cheese.  She also loved to draw and paint and even had winning entries in the Beaver County Fair.

Kay’s faith was seen through every aspect of her life. The beliefs of strong faith and family are the foundations on which Kay and Billy built their family.  When she was 14 years old, she dedicated her life to Christ at the Broadway Baptist Church in Kingfisher, Oklahoma.  Kay was an active member of the Catesby United Methodist Church.  Kay, along with Billy, was the youth group leader for many years where she led many teens to know Jesus.  Kay was the song leader at Bible School and spent many hours creating flip charts with song lyrics.  Kay, along with Billy, attended many Lay Witness Mission trips, sharing their love for the gospel and music. Kay played the piano for Catesby United Methodist Church for over 40 years, and she has continued to play throughout the last four years through pre-recorded hymns played in her absence. 

Kay’s motto was “Praise the Lord” and even in her final days, she was praising the Lord for His goodness.  She would end every text with “PTL.” After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2018, she stated that if her journey could help others through trial treatments, she wanted to be a part of them.  Throughout her journey, Kay participated in three study trials, where she helped to make a difference for future cancer patients.  She touched many lives through music and sharing the gospel.  Her kind spirit was inspiring.  When working for the school she would shy away from eating in the lunch room, as she never wanted to open an opportunity to be a part of participating in gossip.  This is a testament to Kay’s unwavering faith and devotion to Christ. 

Kay’s love of music allowed her and her family to witness to many.  When Shannon was 4 years old, Kay created the musical family that still lives on today.  Kay, Billy, Justin, and Shannon traveled around and sang for various events across the Oklahoma Panhandle.  Kay’s musical talents live on through the performances of her kids and grandkids today.  Kay wrote a song called “Joe,” which won a radio contest and was played on the radio during her younger years.  She also wrote “With All The Hassle of Christmas”, a song that is still sung by her family today and often requested at the Catesby UMC Christmas Eve program.

Kay’s legacy of faith will live on through those who loved her.  Her strength was admirable, her fight was never-ending, and her spirit was Christ-centered.  She truly leaves a legacy that is an inspiration to all.

Kay is survived by her husband Billy of 56 years; son, Justin Carnagey and wife Jenny of Hooker, Oklahoma; daughter, Shannon Heglin of Ulysses, Kansas; brother, Jim Burge and wife Debbie; four grandkids, Lane, Landon, and Laken Carnagey, and Slater Heglin; great-granddaughter, Paisley Carnagey; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, other family members, and a lifetime of friends.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents Lavere and Winnie Burge; brother Jerry Burge; father and mother-in-law, Marvin and Thelma Carnagey.

Kay’s family would like to thank those who encouraged Kay through her journey with cancer, the Catesby UMC Church Family, her medical team at OU Medical Center, and the Newman Memorial Hospital Staff in Shattuck.