Kay Frances Ward Stegall, 88, passed away on April 29, 2026, at her home in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, on January 24, 1938. Kay spent most of her life in the Shoals area of North Alabama and was married for 68 years to the Reverend Dr. Robert H. Stegall, who preceded her in death in 2023.
Kay graduated from Humboldt High School and later earned a degree in Journalism from the University of North Alabama, graduating magna cum laude. Throughout her life, she was deeply involved in a variety of roles: minister’s wife, homemaker, and office manager in the medical field, working for several physicians and specialists.
Kay was active in her community. She belonged to the Tuscumbia Civitan Club and Pilot Club. One of her greatest joys was teaching pottery to youth at Camp Courage, an annual event held at the Helen Keller Birthplace. She was an artist renowned for her hand-crafted pottery, displaying her works at Fiddledee D shop in Tuscumbia. She was a talented musician, serving as choir director at First Christian Church in Florence, Alabama. In 1983, she was honored as the Choir Director Emeritus. Kay was also a writer of numerous stories and children’s books. She provided leadership in many ways, notably serving as Regional Moderator for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), among other roles.
Kay is survived by her children, Robert Patterson Stegall (Mary Ann), Maryjane Stegall Hean (George), and Jennifer Diane Sun (Wellington). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kevin Hean, Caroline Hean Dyky (Igor), Justin Sun (Andrea), and Christopher Sun, along with two great-grandchildren, Addison and Annalise.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Driver and Earnest K. Ward; and siblings, James K. Ward, Jane W. Thomas, and Marsha Ann Driver.
The celebration of life service will be held at First Christian Church in Florence on Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m., with David Chambers officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Camp Courage at the Helen Keller Birthplace, 300 North Commons Street W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, https://helenkellerbirthplace.org/camp/, or to First Christian Church, Florence, AL.
