Geilda Kay Hultquist

Monday, May 4, 2015

Geilda Kay Hultquist, 75, lovingly known as "Kay Kay", of Leachville, passed from this life and went to Heaven Friday, May 1, 2015. She was born May 27, 1939, to the late Hershel and Edith Buffaloe Johnson. Kay graduated as valedictorian of her class at Leachville High School in 1957 and received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with honors from Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway as well as a Master of Education at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Geilda Kay Hultquist

Kay owned and actively managed The Leachville Drug Store and Atkeison's clothing and fabric for many years. She spent much of her life as a teacher, and was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students. Some of her civic contributions include serving on the Buffalo Island Leadership Council and as president of the Leachville Industrial Commission, in addition to 10 years of service on the Buffalo Island Central School Board.

She was a member of the Leachville Church of Christ for many years and for the last 20 years had been an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, participated in the choir, and volunteered countless hours towards the clothes closet, food pantry and food bank. Always a loving Christian, Kay was proud of her church and took honor in serving as a past chairperson of the First United Methodist Church board.

Other than church, Kay's favorite hobby was cooking. She was well known for her delicious cream pies, delectable coconut cake and homemade yeast rolls. She was also a highly skilled seamstress who could copy any piece of clothing or drawing without a pattern. She not only sewed for her family, but donated her time making beautiful clothes without cost to anyone who was in need of her service. Kay was a loving mother, grandmother and aunt who cherished her family and was always willing to help in any situation.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Doyle.

Survivors include her loving husband, Joe Hultquist of Leachville; one son, Brad Atkeison of Greenwood; one daughter, Amber Crabtree and husband Mark of Leachville; three stepsons, Steve Hultquist of Newaygo, Mich., Blaine (Rachel) Hultquist of Midlothian, Texas, and Ryan (Jenn) Hultquist of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Brandon, Heather, Drey, and Grayson; stepgrandchildren, Erica, Sandra, Stephanie, Aubrey, Aislynne, Lucy, Zeke, Braedon and Charlotte; one brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Larry and Marie Johnson of Jonesboro; one sister and brother-in-law Sammi and Pat Bruich of Conway. Kay also leaves many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday May 5, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. Doug Criss and Mr. Tim Bassing officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 6, at the funeral home.

The family prefers any memorials be made to the Children's Home in Paragould, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Ark. 72450 or the First United Methodist Church in Leachville.

Friends may sign the guest register at www.howardfuneralservice.com.