Kay Lord

30 August 1940 - 14 February 2026
Kay N. Lord passed on February 14th 2026 in Gainesville, Georgia after complications from a fall. Her
family and friends will remember her most for her love of family and independent spirit.
Born in Griffin, Georgia and raised in Cobb County, Kay was the daughter of King Cortez Norton and
Mary Frances Norton. She earned a bachelor's degree in business at North Georgia College in
Dahlonega, Georgia and another bachelor's degree in education at Kansas State University in
Manhattan, Kansas. She also completed a master's degree in Adult and Community Education at
North Carolina State University.
Kay had the opportunity to travel the world with her husband during Gerald’s military career. Kay
joined Gerald in Kitzingen, Germany and their adventure began from there. During Gerald’s 30 year
Army career, they moved 14 times around the United States and the world. They lived in Fort Lewis,
WA; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, and Manhattan, KS; Korea; Fort Bragg, NC;
Alexandria, VA; Carlisle Barracks, PA; Dahlonega and Fort McPherson, GA. They settled back in
Dahlonega, GA at the end of Gerald’s military career, excited to rejoin the North Georgia College
community. Kay loved the adventure that traveling the world offered.
Before having a son of her own (Jonathan), Kay was a second mom to many during her lifetime as part
of the military community. Families she thought of as her own included the Scholes (Kim, Michael,
and Tracy), the Owens (Scott, Tina and Kevin), Johnson/ Baughns (Missy and Wade), Keatings, Pilschs
(Andrew) and her niece and nephew (Doug and Kay). She brought love, joy and good food to her
adopted families with her grace and filled all their lives with love.
From college through retirement, Kay was a life long bridge aficionado, enjoying the matches as much
for the challenge of the game as the social community they provided.
Grand children became the highlight of Kay’s life in retirement. She was best friends with her
granddaughter Adeline and grandson Nathan.
She will be remembered for her graciousness, generosity, love for others, cooking and her abundant
holiday tables and celebrations.
She is preceded in Death by her Mother and Father and her sister, Carmen Hale. She is survived by
her husband Gerald, her son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Katie and two grandchildren, Adeline and
Nathan. She is additionally survived by her Nephew Douglass Hale, niece Kay Hale and a cousin Mary Frances Conklin.