Anita Kay (Swim) Worley February 11, 1939 ~ June 21, 2024 (age 85)

Anita “Kay” (Swim) Worley, 85, was born on Feb 11, 1939 in Newton, Kansas to Kenneth and Clara Swim.  Kay attended Kansas State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.  It was in Manhattan, KS while attending college that Kay met Bob Worley. They were married on July 7, 1964 in a double wedding with Victor and Nancy Worley.

They established their home in Portales, NM where Bob began working for the family business, Worley Mills.  She and Bob soon welcomed their first child, Tim into their family. Soon after, along came Amy and several years later, Jeff. While their family was growing, their business was also growing and with Bob busy leading those efforts, Kay stayed at home and dedicated herself to raising their children and cooking wonderful meals. She acted as the taxi driver transporting her kids to and from all their activities, attended every game (even if out of town), was a member and active volunteer at Central Christian Church where she taught Sunday School, and helped lead in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Kay and Bob eventually moved to Las Cruces, NM then to Colorado Springs, CO and eventually to St. Louis, MO to be closer to Tim and his family so they could assist with Bob whose health was declining.  Kay’s love for people led her to work at Dillard’s for 15 years selling shoes. She also worked at Home Depot in the garden department and as a greeter. Kay was active at Kirkwood Road Christian Church and joined in on almost every event including Women’s Bible Study, helping at VBS, and going to lunch after church with the gang.

Kay loved people and especially loved her family. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life and she enjoyed nothing more than going to watch them play sports, perform in plays, sing in concerts, or excel in scouts. She was their #1 fan and could be heard loudly cheering them on. Kay’s lively personality and warm engaging smile encouraged many people along the way. Her strong-willed and spunky disposition helped her navigate some challenging times in her life and through it all she relied on Jesus to protect and provide for her.

In the last five years, life became increasingly difficult for Kay as her world was narrowed by orthopedic issues and dementia. Even these challenges didn’t entirely slow her down as she continued to attend church and Sunday School weekly at Gateway Christian Church where she was lovingly welcomed by many – especially The Seekers Class. She even attended just days before her passing. While Kay seemed to struggle with remembering and had a hard time carrying on a conversation, she never forgot how to sing her favorite hymns.
Kay’s family is forever grateful for the love, care and kindness she was shown by the staff at Autumn View Gardens in Creve Coeur, MO.  On June 21, 2024 Kay was met in heaven by her husband, Robert Olan Worley, her mom and dad, her brother Clark and sister Eugenia. Her legacy lives on in her three children Timothy (Janelle) Worley of St. Louis, Amy (Mark) Madrid of Forney, TX, and Jeffrey (Kyndra) Worley of Amarillo, TX; as well as her grandchildren Ryan (Cynthia) Madrid, Alyssa (Michael) Tillinghast, Garrett Worley, Shannon Worley, Kelsey Worley and Brielle Worley and great grandchildren Beckett and Declan Tillinghast.

We praise God for a life well lived here on earth and for the gift of knowing Kay is with her Lord and Savior in Heaven at peace, healed and whole. There is a Celebration of Life for Kay at Wheeler Mortuary in Portales, NM at 10:00 am on Saturday July 27, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made online to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

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