Kay Timmons Parker

Kay Timmons Parker, never met a stranger, passed away peacefully at her Athens home on June
14, surrounded by her loving family. She had battled ALS for nearly 3 years, and would have
been 63 on June 21, 2022.
Originally from College Park, GA, she resided in Athens for the last 9 years, and was a constant
inspiration through her generosity and loving spirit, which included a number of socially and
spiritually based charities.
Kay lived her life working selflessly for others; when she saw someone in need, she took action.
She did not give just money, she gave her time and inspired others to act. Kay often said, “I
want to change the world.” Even in her final days she never stopped that effort; she organized
a fund-raising gathering for clean water just before her death and told her invited friends “I’m
going to die soon and I need you to commit to these wells now, before I’m gone.”
Kay extended her warmth and kindness to every person she met, from UGA students to
children in Africa who she sponsored and traveled to visit. A generous and committed
philanthropist, Kay donated her time, love and funds to a variety of charities including the
Thirst Project and Operation Christmas Child.
After graduating from Georgia Tech with an Industrial Engineering degree Kay worked for IBM
until retiring to care for her oldest son, Reid, who developed epilepsy at a young age. She
embraced life in Athens where she ministered to many students and, with her husband John,
supported a variety of UGA academic and athletic endeavors, creating multiple scholarships,
programs and endowments focused on those in need.
Kay is survived by her husband John, daughter Laura, sons Reid, Davis and Lucas, her grandson
Colin, her brothers Tim and Chris, her sisters Jan and Lee, and a large extended family. She is
walking in heaven with her parents Chris and Charlotte Timmons, her brother Mark and sister
Ann.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm June 30 at First United Methodist Church 327 North Lumpkin Street,  Athens, GA 30601.  The service will be livestreamed at http://athensfirstumc.org
A reception in the church fellowship hall will follow. Casual dress is encouraged. In lieu of flowers,
Kay asked that you please honor her by helping her continue to change the world by making
contributions to these charitable organizations she loved.
www.thirstproject.org
www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

Arrangements by Lord and Stephens, EAST. 

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