Kay-Alana Calhoun Turner

On Saturday April 22nd, 1995, the goodness of God was evidenced in our lives by the arrival of a beautiful baby girl. One of the nurses summed up our feelings when she traced Kay’s eyebrows and said to the other nurse, “they’re perfect”. After eight years of wondering if we would ever have a child, we agreed she was indeed perfect. And although she was born with a heart defect that, at times, slowed her down she would never let it stop her. Dark hair and blue eyes won all the hearts that met her. 

Kay was fearless as a child and loved to climb her Granny Sue’s tree. One day she climbed way up high as Dad watched until Mom came out and spoiled the fun saying, “come down or I’ll come get you”. Kay always loved making friends. She always wanted to meet kids and play with them. This personality trait stayed with her all her life. Kay was a very intelligent child and loved to learn. She loved reading and was always at the top of the A/R reading list. Mom took her and Lairen to the library often and Kay would soon be through the books for her age group and so Mom had to start previewing books for the older age group to make sure they were appropriate. 

Kay was so delighted when Lairen was born on March 25th, 1997. She now had a built-in play mate. In typical first child fashion Kay would lead all sorts of imaginative play for them to engage in. As Kay grew, she looked forward to going to school. She started at East Texas Christian School in Lumberton. Her kindergarten teacher was Kay Wallage who would become a lifelong friend to our whole family. It was partly through Miss Wallage that our family ended up at Woodcrest Methodist Church soon after. Woodcrest helped raise Kay. She loved being at church. She loved to sing and loved Sunday School. She also loved the people, and they loved her back. 

Kay was always driven and determined. When she set her mind to do something, she did it. This trait also stayed with her throughout her life. After having been homeschooled through her middle school years Kay decided to try Lumberton High School. After being told since she was homeschooled, she would have to take some remedial courses to “catch up” Kay passed all assessment tests with perfect scores. The school counselor determined that Kay would certainly be allowed to take the A/P classes she wanted to take. Of course, Kay did great, as usual, after four years she graduated as salutatorian of the Lumberton class of 2013. Kay’s drive and love of learning served her well in the university setting. Some of her many achievements are as follows.

*Mirabeau Scholarship

*Nick Carter Innovation Fund in Business Scholarship (study abroad Rennes School of *Business, France 

*McMaster Honors Scholarship as a Reaud Honors College student 2015, 2016 and 2017

*Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 2016 and 2017

*Lamar University Ambassador

*President of the College of Business Advisory Council to the Dean

*Global Lamar 

*Cardinals Beyond Borders

*Women in Networking

*McNair Scholar

*McNair Research trip to Guatemala in the summer of 2016

*Global Enrichment to Costa Rica and Panama 2016

*Universidad de Salamanca Spanish Program in Spain 2015

*Active at Wesley United Methodist Student Center

One of Kay’s great passions was singing and music. She loved to write songs and sing them for whoever would listen.  She was so proud of herself the day she came in and told us she had made enough money for lunch busking in Galveston. One of the goals she was working on was to record an album of her original songs. We are blessed to have heard her sing.

Kay had so much life to live in front of her yet, for reasons only the Lord knows, she has departed this world to be with Him. Waiting for Kay on the other side are her maternal grandparents, Henry and Lavon Rogers; paternal grandparents, Ronny and Kayla Sue Calhoun; Aunt Vertie, Aunt Loretta, and many other family and friends. 

Those who remain to celebrate Kay are her parents, Robby and Rosa Calhoun; sister, Lairen Lea and husband, Jake Glenn; nephew, Johnny Ryder Glenn; niece, Ada Raye Glenn; boyfriend, James Rambo; and a host of family and friends.

Please consider making a donation in Kay-Alana's honor:

Lamar University here, in drop down box choose other then Kay-Alana Turner Scholarship.

Texas EquuSearch Search And Recovery here.

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