Katerina Kay Tiblets, 70, passed away January 4 following a long and brave struggle against cancer. Kay retired from Frost Bank in 2012 as Vice President of Teller Operations for the Tarrant County area. Kay began working for Overton Bank, later purchased by Frost, in 1990 as a teller. Her ability to work with people helped her rise to the position she held at retirement. Prior to moving to Fort Worth and then Aledo, she lived in many places including Gordon. After marrying Billy in 1970, she lived in Waco, where she became a big Baylor Bear fan, and in Corpus Christi. She made many friends in both places.
Kay’s greatest skill was her ability to connect with people. She had a way of making people feel as if they were the most important person in the world. This interest in other people was genuine and came from the heart. After retirement, her passion became the Gordon Community Food Pantry which she led as President. To her, Food Pantry clients were not just people in need, they were her friends and neighbors.
One of the happiest years of her life was 1989, the year that she and Billy adopted Danny, their son, at the age of six. Kay loved sports, and Danny provided the opportunity to experience sports at another level. Danny provided the excuse to visit the Baseball, Football and Hockey Halls of Fame as well as numerous big-league stadiums, not to mention a lot of Baylor football games.
Another extremely happy day for Kay was the day Gracie, her granddaughter, was born in 2018. She was able to enjoy being “Gigi” for three wonderful years and was able to see Danny, Lindsay and Gracie at Christmas.
Kay is preceded in death by her parents A. E. (Corky) and Patsy King. She is survived by her husband Billy Tiblets, her son and daughter-in-law Danny and Lindsay Tiblets, her granddaughter Gracie Tiblets, her twin brother Ray King and his wife Teri of Austin, nephews Brandon and Taylor King, brothers and sisters-in-law James and Tavia Tiblets, Larry and Christy Tiblets, and Charles and Velda Tiblets. She was also an aunt to Justin Fulkerson, Tricia Otero, Ben Tiblets, Lesley Greggs, and Cheryl Rohlik. She had several great nieces and nephews including Will, Andrew, Jack and Vivian Tiblets, Marcus and Marissa Otero, Holly and Heidi Fulkerson and Michelle Barron. There are also several cousins.
The family would also like to acknowledge the help given to Kay and Billy over the last seven years by our dear friend Rhonda Muller of Houston. Rhonda was always there for us, offering support, encouragement, a good meal and a place to sleep. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Gordon Community Food Pantry, P. O. Box 46, Gordon, TX 76453.
Visitation will be Saturday January 8 from 6-8 at Edwards Funeral Home in Strawn. The service will be Sunday January 9 at 2 PM at the Gordon High School Gym with graveside services to follow.
