Kay Carr White, an early organizer of the 2009 Tea Party Movement in east Tennessee, passed away at the age of 75 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Kay also played a key role in the 2013-2014 BEAT LAMAR project, organized by Michael Patrick Leahy, who subsequently founded The Tennessee Star.
“Kay’s love of country and patriotic spirit made a difference in the political landscape of Tennessee. I will miss her, as will the many friends and family members who loved her dearly,” Leahy, who is the editor-in-chief of The Star, said.
Read White’s obituary, courtesy of Johnson-Arrowood Funeral Home:
Kay Carr White, 75, of Johnson City, Tennessee went home to see Jesus after a short battle with a rare form of cancer. A Johnson City Realtor and enthusiastic supporter of Republican politics, Kay was also a local leader of the Tea Party for a short time. Kay and her husband Doug often entertained in their Johnson City home where their friends, family, and neighbors gathered around the table for lively conversation, card games, and delicious meals.
Kay deeply cared for her church, community, family, and friends. She was best described as the woman who showed up when others were long gone. She had a zest for life and childlike appreciation for the world around her, even as she aged and most noticeably as she battled cancer. Her optimism was unmatched and the joy that she spread to others will be remembered.
She is preceded in death by her parents W.R. and Mary Carr, one sister Janice Miller, her precious son Benjamin W. Smith, and her children’s father Bert E. Smith, III.
Survivors include her husband Douglas White, children Bert E. Smith IV and wife Lisa, Alexander C. Smith and fiancée Stephanie, Janice Anna Marie Baker and husband Brett, Susan Smith Alvis and husband Brent, her granddaughters Hannah Smith and Amber Alvis, her grandsons Matthew Alvis, Bratcher McMillen, Bryce McMillen, Christian Hughes, her great-granddaughters Kaiden Alvis and Lakelyn Sanders, her great-grandson Landon Sanders, her granddaughter’s mother Meghan Masters, her nephews Michael Todd Miller (Patrick and Huey) and John Miller (Kati and Elliott), her favored niece Kimberly Wallace Baker (Tim), her stepchildren Dale (Christi) White, Roger (Melissa) White, Billy (Krista) White, Diane (Bucky) Youngblood, her step-grandchildren Peyton White, Rebekah White, Rylan White, Lucas White, Hayden Youngblood, and Kelsey Youngblood Ashley.
Other special friends and close relatives include Mark Droke, Chad King, Travis Sanders, Clay Lamb, Bruce and Patsy Hobbs (Tyler and Tiffany), Julie Campbell, Georgia Hughes, Savannah Fields, Serena Hughes, Julie Gouge, David and Cheryl Frazier, Betty Jo McClain Kern, Margie Larkins, Brian Larkins (Tina), Mark Larkins (Melissa), Jeff Stewart (and daughter Toni), Susan Stewart Johnson, and many extended family members, neighbors, and friends.
There will be a gathering of friends at Boone Trail Baptist Church on Monday, July 1, 2024, from 3 – 7 PM. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow. A graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Memorial Park on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 11 AM. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Johnson-Arrowood Funeral Home by 10:00 AM to go in procession.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
