Kay Gloria Culpepper

Sandy Springs - Kay Gloria Culpepper (Colson) passed away peacefully at her home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on February 2, at the age of 76. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease five years ago and faced her illness with quiet strength.

Kay was born in 1949 in Lake City, Florida, where she was raised and lived for 24 years. In 1971, she married her beloved husband, Ed Culpepper, and in 1973 they moved to the Gainesville, Florida, area, where they lived and worked for 36 years. After retiring in 2009, Kay and Ed relocated to Sun City Peachtree, a Del Webb community in Griffin, Georgia, where they spent 13 wonderful years. As Kay's health declined, they later moved to Sandy Springs to be closer to their daughter and to medical care.

Kay had a deep love for golf, fishing, and traveling in their RV. She and Ed spent countless hours fishing rivers and lakes throughout Florida and Georgia. Together, they traveled to all 49 drivable U.S. states, including two trips to Alaska, and visited every Canadian province. Along the way, they explored 53 of the 63 U.S. national parks.

Kay attended Columbia County schools and graduated from high school in 1967 and earned her associate degree from Lake City Community College in 1969. She later returned to college and graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 1993.

Professionally, Kay dedicated her career to helping others, working in a variety of social service organizations. Her most recent position was with the ACORN Rural Health Clinic.

Kay is survived by her husband, Ed Culpepper; her daughter, Amy Culpepper; and her son, Josh Culpepper (Michelle).