Obituary

Kay arthur shamblin, 75, passed away on october 18, 2017, at the hubbard hospice house, surrounded by her loving family, after a short but valiant battle with cancer.  a lifelong resident of charleston, she was born on november 12, 1941, grew up in kanawha city, attended horace mann junior high, and graduated from charleston high school, class of 1959.

She was a member of the second class to receive the r.N./b.S.N. Degree from west virginia university school of nursing. She spent her life caring for others in her chosen profession. Kay was one of the original interfaith group of people who brought the concept of hospice to the kanawha valley, she served as a hospice nurse and volunteer, and she died with dignity in a place that has meant so much to her and her life work.

Kay worked labor and delivery at camc memorial and outpatient surgery at thomas memorial in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She worked for the west virginia bureau for public health for 17 years. She began her tenure with the bureau for public health as clinical director for the breast and cervical cancer screening program. She later became director of the division of local health where she served for ten years until her 2010 retirement.  her work as a public health nurse was recognized by the west virginia center for nursing when she received the nursing excellence award for nursing leadership in 2007 for her commitment to public service, her passion for helping people, and her ability to shape and influence the public health practice. she also received the public health achievement award in 2010 for meritorious service in the field of public health by the west virginia association of local health departments.

Always active in her community, kay was president of the junior league of charleston and served on steering committees that brought the national sweet sixteen girls’ tennis tournament to charleston for several years in the early 1980’s. At wvu, kay was a member of kappa kappa gamma sorority and was active in the charleston alumni chapter. She was an active member of the university of charleston builders, and proudly completed the citizens police academy with the charleston police department this past june.

Kay was a charter member, along with her parents and sister, of village chapel presbyterian church where she continued to worship throughout her life. She was an elder, a member of the pastor nominating committee, a youth leader, and most recently, moderator of presbyterian women.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents clarence and luella conner arthur; young brother bobby; husband dr. Jack shamblin, jr.; step-daughter stacy shamblin; and niece kandi tweedy. She is survived by her sister betty burton halstead; her sons geoffrey smith and wife margaret of chattanooga, tn; rodney smith and wife lisa of charleston; and chris smith and wife lisa of charleston; her cherished grandchildren carter, reade and maggie of chattanooga; lucy, william, christopher, allison, and conner of charleston; and malana pauig of charlotte, nc; her step-sons dr. Jack shamblin iii of martinsburg, wv and mark shamblin of gulf shores, al. She also leaves behind her dear cousin ghee gossard and husband terry, her sister-in-law carolyn tweedy and husband bob and their children karen, kristi, and scott; step-grandchildren tori, jack, and sarah shamblin; her niece pam burton white; and nephew greg burton and wife kim of charleston; and very special friend f. Thomas graff and his family.

Kay was often seen lifting spirits with her beloved dog bailey at the hubbard hospice house, at nursing homes, or just greeting new friends in downtown charleston. She led by example through kindness, grace, and gratitude toward others.

Kay lived life without regret and “never judged a book by its cover.” she recognized that all people have something special to offer and had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in all of us. Towards the end, she “adjusted her sails” and spent her final days with family and close friends making treasured memories.

A celebration of kay’s life will be held at village chapel presbyterian church on saturday, october 21 at 11 a.M., followed by an ice cream social reception at the home of troy and charlotte stallard, 16 fox chase rd. Kay requested that people wear comfortable attire.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to hubbard hospice house, 1001 curtis price way, charleston, wv 25311; camc foundation, stacy g. Shamblin memorial scholarship award endowment fund, 3414 staunton ave. Se, charleston, wv 25304; or village chapel presbyterian church, 3819 venable ave, charleston, wv 25304.

You may send condolences to the family at:www.Barlowbonsall.Com

services have been entrusted to barlow-bonsall funeral home.