Kay Herbert Walker of Raleigh, North Carolina died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, surrounded by her family. Kay was born July 14, 1936 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Maynard Thomas Herbert and Katherine Kelley Herbert. Kayâ??s vivacious spirit, quick mind and radiant beauty were evident throughout her life. She was voted most beautiful in her class at Corpus Christi Ray High School where she graduated in 1954. Kay attended Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, Texas for two years and had the honor of serving in the Miss Fiesta court in 1955. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1958 with a B.A. in Advertising and Journalism. She had a successful career in advertising and was named as women advertising executive of the year in Texas in 1964. Her dear sister Connie Herbert Camp and her husband Emory C. Camp introduced Kay to Emoryâ??s University of Texas fraternity big brother Bill Walker of Cleveland, Texas and they were married on August 15, 1964. Kay and Bill were one of the first families to move into Kingwood, Texas in 1973 where they raised their children Scott Walker of Mineola, Texas and Laura Kay Berry of Raleigh, North Carolina. Kay created a magical childhood for her children full of fantasy and wonder and instilled in them a love of learning. Kay was active in the community volunteering her time, serving on the board and as treasurer of her church Kingwood United Methodist and playing bridge. Kayâ??s blood bled burnt orange for her beloved Texas Longhorns and she was an avid fan of the Astros, Oilers and Cowboys. Kay enjoyed international travels with family and friends to Alaska, Canada, Europe, Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean. Kay cherished all of her pets and treated them as people. Kay and Bill retired to the Broken W Ranch where Kay continued her passions for bridge, reading and creative writing. In 2001, Kay and Bill moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where Kay was passionate about the Carolina Ballet and enjoyed taking her granddaughter Grace to many childrenâ??s theaters. Kay made many treasured friends and enjoyed the myriad of activities at Magnolia Glen, Sunrise of North Raleigh and The Rosewood at the Cypress. Kay is survived by her son Scott Walker and his children Jake Walker of Mineola Texas and Josey Walker of Hondo, Texas, her daughter Laura Kay Berry and her husband David and their children Grace Berry and Walker Berry of Raleigh, North Carolina, her sister Connie Herbert Camp of Longview Texas, her sister-in-law Janey Walker Smith of Cleveland, Texas and her beloved Texas nieces and nephews Bob Walker of Forth Worth, Shelley Walker of Humble, Jason Walker of South Lake, Kelley Mc Bee of Rockwall, Kim Wright of Longview, Emory Camp of Dallas, Kristil Wright of Dayton, Deana May of Kingwood and Stuart Smith of Austin. Kay was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Bill. A Memorial Service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Her family will place her ashes in the Memorial Garden there prior to the service. A memorial service in Texas will be held at a later date. Friends and family are invited to her daughterâ??s home following the service. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of The Rosewood at The Cypress and Hospice of Wake County for their compassionate and attentive care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Wake County.

Gone From My Sight by Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other Then someone at my side says; "There, she is gone!" "Gone where?" Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"