Chambliss, Kathryn 'Kay' Ann

TIPTON - Kathryn “Kay” Ann Chambliss

Kay Chambliss, 63, of Tipton, died peacefully at home Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, with her loving family by her side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A funeral service to celebrate Kay's life will be on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Tipton, with Pastor Donnita Moeller presiding. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Fry Funeral Home, 220 East Sixth St. in Tipton.

Memorials may be directed to the Kay Chambliss Memorial Fund in care of the family, 115 W. Eighth St., Tipton, IA 52772. Gifts will be made in her memory to the Tipton Elementary School and to Trinity Lutheran Church of Tipton.

Kay was born April 3, 1947, in Iowa City, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Elmer and Wilma (Voss) Belitz. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1965. She attended AIC in Davenport. Kay married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Richard Chambliss, on June 18, 1967. They had celebrated 43 years together this past summer.

The couple had three wonderful children in Kimberly, Mark and Brent, who were the pride and joy of their mother. Kay took immense pleasure in raising and nurturing her children and seven grandchildren.

Growing up a farm girl was instrumental in Kay's life long passion to garden and “get her hands in the dirt” for relaxation. She also enjoyed scrapbooking for her family who treasure her creative memory albums.

Kay was adored by the children and faculty of Tipton Elementary School, where she worked as a teacher's aide and recess leader for the last 30 years. Her gentle nature and caring ways made a lasting impression on all those who attended the school. Kay was also an active and dedicated member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Tipton. Her smiling face was always such a blessing to those who worshipped with her.

Kay is survived by her husband, Richard, and their three children, Kimberly (Michael) Pelzer and their son, Noah, of Tipton, Mark (Christine) Chambliss and their children, Katrina, Blake and Laci of Iowa City, and Brent (Molly) Chambliss and their children, Sydney, Savannah and Delaney; her mother, Wilma (Frank) Pearson of Iowa City; her mother-in-law, Norma Chambliss of Muscatine; brothers, Joel (Kim) Belitz of Durant and Robert (Eva) Belitz of Wilton; sister, Becky (Allen) Paustian of Tipton; and numerous extended family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Belitz; and father-in-law, Gerald Chambliss.

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