Kay Karol Green, born July 24, 1940 in Joplin, Missouri, passed away on January 9, 2023 at Springfield MO’s Cox South  Hospital.

Kay is survived by her brother Doug Walker, her two sons Mark and Paul Green, four grandchildren: David, Andrew, Ethan and Isabella Green, three nieces: Mekisha Jane Walker, Layla Wolken Walker and Katie Jane Walker, brother in law Tim Green, sister in law Gina Holden, daughters in law Anna and Julie Green, as well as many other family and friends.

Kay was the first of two children born to the late John and Kathryn Walker.  She spent her childhood growing up in the Joplin area surrounded by her Walker and Douglas family members.  Some of her fondest memories were spent at Empire Baptist Church where most of her family and extended family attended.  She attended Joplin Public Schools including Joplin High School where she met the love of her life Mike Green in 1956.  They were married two years later in 1958 and spent the next 55 years supporting each other through the joys and sorrows of life together.

Kay had two real passions in her life that stood out.  The first was music.  She began piano lessons at an early age, and became quite accomplished.  Her love of music and her joy for playing endured throughout her life.  She was also an outstanding vocalist and used this gift to serve the Lord at First Baptist Church in her early adulthood years and then at Ridgecrest Baptist Church as a soloist and member of the choir.  While at Ridgecrest, Kay also was a part of a traveling vocal group called Tapestry that performed at local churches and nursing homes.

It was at First Baptist that her second passion emerged, working with children.  Kay worked with the preschool choir, taught Sunday School & Vacation Bible School.  Fueled by her love for Jesus and the children she served, Kay was incredibly dedicated and her countless hours of preparation made a profound impact on many young lives.  Later in life she worked with Springfield Public School Transportation Department as a teaching assistant working primarily with students with disabilities.  She was proud of this work and she made a difference in so many lives each day.

Kay’s compassion is her enduring legacy.  She cherished and loved her family and friends and will be missed greatly by all of those who had the privilege to know and love her.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Interment will be at 2:00 pm Saturday at Ozark Memorial Park in Joplin, MO.