Lerona “Kay” Bookhout, May 16th 1945 – January 4th 2022. Kay was 76 years old at the time of her passing. She was born in Wichita, Kansas to Leroy James Judd and Elsie Kate “Mullins” Judd. She graduated from Central High School in 1964 where she was a Kiltie. She was married to Joe Don Bookhout originally of Stoutland, Missouri on October 11th 1964. She met Joe in Springfield outside of the barber shop he worked at on Walnut Street. They moved to St. Louis for a couple of years where she managed a beauty shop. They returned to Springfield to start a family. They had a son and daughter. Troy Don Bookhout of Ozark and Tonya Kay “Bookhout” Old of Springfield. She also had 2 grandchildren whom she loved very much. Sydney Nicole Bookhout and Carson Bradley Bookhout. They lived in Republic for several years before returning to Springfield. Kay was a homemaker, excellent baker, cosmetologist and ran her own daycare. She loved all children especially babies. She even babysat her granddaughter while she was an infant. She was a member of 1st Brookline Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and vacation bible school. Kay was succeeded in death by both parents and her husband Joe of 49 years. Kay went home to the Lord after a short illness. In lieu of flowers please donate in her name to Brookline Cemetery, The American Cancer Society, or Grand Oaks Mission. Visitation is from 12pm – 5pm on Sunday January 9th at Greenlawn South Campbell and Battlefield in Springfield. Graveside services for the family will be at Brookline Cemetery on Monday January 10th at 1pm.