Kaye Wells Weathers

WAYNESBORO, Ga. - Surrounded by her family and friends, Kaye Wells Weathers, a resident of Waynesboro, Georgia, passed away on December 24, 2015, at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, after a brief battle with ovarian cancer. She was 72. As she had lived, Kaye died with amazing grace, strength, and dignity. Kaye was born in Milledgeville, Georgia, on September 11, 1943. For most of her childhood and adolescent life, Kaye lived in Climax, Georgia. She graduated from Climax High School in 1961 and was the class valedictorian. Kaye was also a star basketball player for Climax High School and was crowned Miss Climax High School as a high school freshman. Following her high school graduation, she attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she received a B.A. degree in psychology in 1965. At Mercer, Kaye was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity and was involved in many other campus and leadership activities. For the majority of Kaye's professional life, she worked tirelessly in several different capacities within the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for the State of Georgia. At the beginning of her career, Kaye was employed as a social worker at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia, where she worked in the adult mental health area and then with the developmentally disabled at the hospital. All of Kaye's clients were also her teachers - both personally and professionally - who reminded her that service to others was a higher calling. Following her marriage to Harry Carlton Weathers in 1979, Kaye relocated from Milledgeville to Waynesboro, Georgia. Kaye continued her professional life in the adult mental health area through her work at Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services in Waynesboro. Every step of the way, Kaye met her professional challenges with commitment, compassion, and competence. After 29 years of service, Kaye retired from her final professional role at Ogeechee as Team Leader for Child and Adolescent Services. In that position, Kaye led a group of her talented colleagues in treating children and adolescents residing in Burke County and several other surrounding counties, who were confronting substance abuse, mental health, and other behavioral issues. During her 29 years of service, Kaye was a true professional and faithful advocate, and she was respected, admired, and loved by colleagues and clients alike. Kaye was very involved in the Waynesboro community and was passionate about gardening, nature and the environment, playing bridge, reading, and helping and caring for her rescued pets and others in the community. She was truly blessed with incredible friends with whom she spent treasured time and for whom she had great respect and love. Within her circle of friends, laughter was abundant, friendships were genuine, sorrows were shared, support was freely given, and hope was enduring. Kaye was an active member of the Board of Directors of the Burke County Library, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Communities in Schools Program of Burke County, an active member and past president of the Burkeland Garden Club, a certified Master Gardener, and an active member of two Waynesboro bridge clubs. In her interactions with her family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, Kaye was authentic, positive, and compassionate. Her unconditional love, sincere kindness, and inner and outer beauty were precious gifts received by all who met, knew, and loved her. Kaye is survived by her husband of thirty-six years, Harry C. Weathers of Waynesboro, Georgia; one son, Shawn Lanier, of Weston, Massachusetts, and his husband, Kenneth Newberg; two granddaughters, Emma Kaye and Katherine Anne, of Weston, Massachusetts; one brother, Larry Wells and his wife, Marsha, of Donalsonville, Georgia; Kaye's stepmother, Fannie Wells, of Climax, Georgia; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nan and Greg Mautz of Athens, Georgia; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Alison and Lou Imbrogno of Augusta, Georgia; two stepsisters: Joyce Halstead, of Thomasville, Georgia, and her husband, Doug Halstead; and Martha Donalson, of Thomasville, Georgia, and her husband, Herbert Donalson; one stepbrother, Jimmy Johnson, of Cairo, Georgia, and his wife, Debbie Johnson; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and five beloved rescued felines: Sadie, Mattie, Eve, Patton, and Grayson, of Waynesboro, Georgia. Kaye is preceded in death by both her father, Clifford E. Wells, and her mother, Pat Pagett Wells, of Climax, Georgia. A service and reception celebrating Kaye's wonderful and extraordinary life are currently being planned and will be held during the first part of 2016 in Waynesboro. Details regarding this celebration of life for Kaye will follow in the short term through the family and Taylor Funeral Home located at 842 North Liberty Street, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830. Memorial gifts honoring Kaye's life may be made to: the Burke County Library, Attention: Gwen Jackson - Kaye Weathers' Memorial, 130 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830 and the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue, Attention: Kaye Weathers' Memorial, Post Office Box 1437, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830

Taylor Funeral Home, 842 N. Liberty Street, Waynesboro, 706-551-5100 is in charge of arrangements.

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