Wanda Kay Arendt

Wanda Kay (Jackson) Arendt born December 3, 1946 to Clyde and Viva (Stone) Jackson, passed away form this world early August 12, 2025. The youngest of 3 children, Kay was the energetic light of the family and later her own family providing the same energy being a wife, mother and grandmother. In the early part of her life, she moved with her family between west Texas including Idalou and Crosbyton and back closer to this are living at Chalk Mountain and Hico. She attended school at Hico for the last 3 years of high school graduating in 1965. She was a force wherever she went. Whether it was pestering her older brother and sister, not wanting to go to school in 1st grade, being loud on the bus, greeting people at Jackson Superette, laughing with her cousins who picked on her unmercifully, cheering from a sideline or playing basketball, you knew her voice and laugh. Kay also had a beautiful singing voice and used that talent many years in singing groups, at competitions, weddings, and choirs. She passed that love of music on to her girls and granddaughters. After High School, Kay attended Tarleton State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Early Education with honors. She began teaching in Lampasas for 2 years, Hamilton for 3 and earned her Masters in Education for Elementary Education in 1972. Kay was a lifelong learner and teacher. In 1974, Kay began teaching in Hico where she remained until May 2006, when she retired a second time after teaching for 37 years. She received teaching awards and was grateful to have taught so many lives. She cherished the memories of being an "outstanding teacher" (out standing in the hallway often laughing and talking with co-workers) and all of her students and co-workers. Being ever on the go and not able to just stay at home after retirement, Kay worked as secretary for Brett and Shay Johnson, serving meals at FBC in Stephenville on Wednesday nights, and finally at Pegasus Farms and Britt Holt. She cherished her time here as well, not just because she had extra spending money, but because she made a strong bond and friendship with Britt and his son David, She felt like a mentor and teacher for them and cherished their long talks and laughs they shared together. In 1974, Kay married the love of her life Chas in Hico. They lived in and just outside of Hico their entire marriage raising 2 daughters and 2 beautiful granddaughters. After 51 years of marriage Chas and Kay had been through many trials. Non tougher than Chas' cancer diagnosis and the many surgeries and doctors appointments that followed. Through it all, Kay was by Chas' side, being a cheerleader, providing laughs and strength however she could. Kay also had the joy of being "Mammy" to 2 beautiful. smart and talented granddaughters. She wanted her home to be a place "the girls" could be themselves and relax. Whether it was in "The Magic Garden" that she built piece by piece for "the girls" to be imaginative and creative outside, to the endless amounts of toys, snacks and dress-up garments she had, or making and decorating cookies together. "Mammy" provided warmth and love to "the girls" who were her world. Kay was a "go getter" to the end. You could find her landscaping her flower beds and yard around the house and cooking great meals. You could always see and feel the love she had for life, family and friends. Kay always had plenty for everyone and provided it with love and laughs. Lastly, Kay was a Christian and showed this through her kindness, smile and laugh each and every day. We know she is in heaven now mowing the yard, teaching someone, singing, laughing and preparing a great meal for us when we each get there some day. Preceding her in death were her parents, Clyde and Viva Jackson, Brother Delbert Jackson, Sister-in-law Jean Jackson, Nephew Brooks Jackson, Brother-in-law Joe Knight and Brother-in-law Larry Holderman. Kay is survived by her loving husband of 51 years Chas, daughters Charla (John), Kyla and 2 beautiful granddaughters Laney and Lilly. Sister Rita Gay Knight, Sister-in-law Janie Holderman, Brother-in-law and wife Bud and Barbara Arendt a long with nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and countless teachers and students. Donations can be made in her memory to any local scholarship fund. Visitation 1pm-2pm, Services at 2pm, at First Baptist Church Hico, burial to follow at 3:30pm at Chalk Mountain Cemetery.