Katherine Reis Fons returned to her Heavenly home on January 13, 2024, to join the ranks of Angels. She cared deeply for her family, who loved and adored her. Kay was a loving friend to all who knew her. The world is a far better place for Kay having graced us with her sweet presence. She will be missed and be long remembered.

Kay grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri, the only daughter of Dr. Carl J. Reis, MD, and Katherine Primm Reis. Her brothers were Carl J. Reis, Jr. (deceased) and Joseph Primm Reis (Susie Skinner). She attended The Academy of the Sacred Heart (City House) from Kindergarten through High School, and then attended Maryville College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1963. She taught Fourth Grade at Little Flower Catholic School in Richmond Heights, Missouri, for one year.

In June 1964, Kay married John P. Fons, and they lived in Clayton, Missouri, where their first child, Katherine Primm, was born. Shortly after they moved to University City, Missouri, their second child, Philip Christian, was born. With John starting a long career at AT&T that was to involve the first of many corporate relocations over the next twenty years, Kay and her family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where daughter Laura Wiss joined the band of nomads. Kay and the growing band then moved to Manhasset, New York, where daughter Mary Elizabeth (Molly) was born. In quick succession thereafter, Kay and her band moved to: Mountain Brook, Alabama, followed by McLean, Virginia; Longwood, Florida; Gladwyne, Pennsylvania; Basking Ridge, New Jersey; and Sandy Springs, Georgia. In 1985, Kay and her family settled in Tallahassee, Florida, finally growing some roots and spending over 37 years in one place. She and John moved one final time to Monroe, Georgia, in 2022 to be closer to their grown children and where, like they had done in so many past moves, they quickly made friends in a welcoming new community.

To say that Kay enjoyed moving would be a gross understatement; she LOVED moving, from the thrill of finding a new home, the process of packing and unpacking, and the joy of meeting and making new friends, new bridge partners, new golf-buddies and new tennis teams. And she brought a passion and sense of fun to each of her pursuits. While she could appear shy and reserved, she had a wonderful sense of humor and a devilish playfulness that entertained and charmed her partners and opponents alike.

But above all, Kay was the consummate wife and mother; devoted to taking care of her family above all else. Her talents for cooking, baking, knitting and sewing were special and in great demand. Many a child or grandchild was sent off to college with newly prepared or altered clothes, and a beautiful hand-made Afghan. Her homes were always well-decorated with her works of art, especially her drawings of her favorite flower, the poppy.

Travel also played a huge role in Kay’s various pursuits. From her childhood family vacations to Douglas, Michigan and Door County, Wisconsin, Kay loved the change of scenery and the challenge of new social activities. It was a “spur of the moment” trip to Douglas to stay at John’s brother and sister-in-law’s lake cottage that brought Kay and John together as life-time partners. This adventure planted the seed for many, many other fun-filled sojourns; and prompted Kay and John to spend many of their summers in Door County, Wisconsin, and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. They also loved going to visit their children and grandchildren, and they were an integral part of their lives.

Simply put, Kay’s life was one helluva great adventure!

Kay is survived by her husband for fifty-nine years, John; her four wonderful children: Katherine Barkley (Ben), Oxford, GA, Philip Fons (Kersten), Nashville, TN, Laura Granberry (Michael), Pt. Washington, FL, and Molly McLeod (Lang), Marietta, GA; and her six beautiful grandchildren who adored her: Carden Barkley, Washington DC, Claire Barkley, Washington DC, Kallen Fons, Cincinnati, OH, Penny Fons, Nashville, TN, Lawson McLeod, Austin, TX, and Mary Lang McLeod, Marietta, GA. Her legacy will live on through them, including Kay’s love of card games and puzzles.

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