The world got a little quieter on Thursday, October 23, 2025, when Kay Stokes, 63, of Brunswick, took her final ride home. She passed peacefully at her residence, surrounded by love and family under the care of Hospice of the Golden Isles.

Born on September 4, 1962, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to B.J. and Barbara Bontrager Stokes, Kay grew up in Brunswick, where she made lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and just the right amount of noise. A proud member of the Glynn Academy Class of 1980, Kay was known for her quick wit, contagious laughter, and that unmistakable sparkle in her eye that told you she was about to say something you would never forget.

Kay lived her life out loud and didn't do anything halfway. She was a firecracker with a heart of gold—fun-loving, fiercely loyal, and unapologetically herself. She lived with passion, spoke her mind, and loved with her whole heart.

Horses were in her soul from the start. As an avid barrel racer and member of the Diamond Bar D Saddle Club, Kay felt most at peace in the saddle—wind in her hair, dirt flying, and that look of pure joy that told everyone she was exactly where she was meant to be. On a horse, she was home.

For the past 5 years, Kay worked as a Billing Specialist at Golden Isles Family Health Care, where she wasn't just a coworker—she was family. She brought laughter to the office, a shoulder to lean on, and a bit of sass to keep everyone on their toes.

But as full and beautiful as her life was, Kay's greatest pride and joy was her family. She was a proud mama and an even more devoted "Kay Kay." Her children and grandchildren were her world, and she never missed a chance to brag about them—or tease them a little.

Kay leaves behind a family who loved her beyond measure: her children, Brittany Benjamin (David) of Nahunta and Jason Waters (Lauren) of Springfield, GA; her siblings, David Stokes, John Stokes, and Bobby Stokes, all of Brunswick, and Suzy Nasholds (Reid) of North Carolina; and her cherished grandchildren, Madison, Emerson, Kierson, Maddox Waters, and Trey Benjamin. She also leaves behind countless friends who will forever miss her laugh, her honesty, and that unmistakable spark that made every room brighter.

A celebration of Kay's life—one as big, bold, and joy-filled as she was— will be held on November 20, 2025 at Confederate Station in Brunswick, Georgia from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Ride high, Kay. We'll carry your laughter with us always, and we know you'll be watching—boots on, reins in hand, cheering us on from the great green pastures of Heaven.