Johnnie Kay Ness

Johnnie Kay Ness, known to all as Kay, passed away on January 27, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. Born on July 13, 1941, in Rome, Georgia, to Geneva and Wilbur Wells, Kay grew up in Georgia and Ohio. From a young age, she learned the value of hard work, spending her teen years waitressing at her parents' truck stop-a foundation that eventually led to a career as an over-the-road truck driver. Later, for thirteen years, she was a familiar face behind the wheel of the school bus, navigating the route from Tonto Basin to Payson. Once retired, Kay and her husband Clay enjoyed trips to Laughlin and road trips. To Kay, family was everything. Her children and grandchildren remember her as their steady anchor; she was the first person they called in times of trouble and the one who helped them rebuild after disappointment. Outside of family, Kay's passions were as spirited as she was. She was an avid bowler in the Payson Alley Cats, where she served as secretary-treasurer and proudly claimed two perfect 300-game trophies. She was also a lifelong Elvis Presley fan and a dedicated collector of coins. Family events were not complete without a tray of Kay's homemade buns. Kay is survived by her children, Shane (Paula) Wilson, Shawn Fenlon, and Russel Wilson; her grandchildren, Ryan (Brittney) Roberts, Jessica (Jake) Hart, Brianna Wilson, Shane Wilson, Rachel Zajac, Deanna Knapp, and Tyler Wilson; and many beloved great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.. She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, five siblings, one child, and one grandchild.