Kay Lynn Utsinger

                                                      “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants”                                                     Psalm 116:15

Finding perfect peace and unfathomable joy, Kay Lynn Carter Utsinger, age 73, was released from her struggle with Parkinson’s Disease and welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on June 22, 2026. We grieve in our personal loss while rejoicing that her faith has become sight. A celebration of Kay’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26th at Central Church of Christ in the Chapel, 1401 S. Madison St.

Kay was born in Odessa, Texas to Victor Jackson “Jack” Carter and Nell Dean Nunley Carter on November 1, 1952. She leaves a legacy as a faithful Christian, devoted wife, loving mother, and accomplished educator. Her compassion, generosity, charm, wit, humor, and goodness were gifts to everyone she met.

If you knew Kay, you loved her. A snapshot of her 1969-1971 high school years at Odessa Permian reflects a perennial favorite among her classmates. At a time when class favorites included “Best Looking” or “Most Beautiful,” Kay was it for all three years…and the prom queen to boot. That consistent honor by her peers recognized not only her outward elegance but also a magnetic inner beauty inspiring the trust and respect that cemented and uplifted relationships throughout her life.

Those days were the dawn of Friday Night Lights as Permian football teams began to dominate their competitors, particularly their cross-town rivals at Odessa High creating virtually a Shakespearean Capulet and Montague caste system. And so, it would seem unthinkable that in the fall of 1970, the most beautiful Senior girl at Permian would trust a friend’s recommendation to accept a blind date with a choir boy, debate nerd from Odessa High. Seventeen weeks later, Kay reserved for Kelly Utsinger a page in her Yearbook in which he wrote, among other things, “Ever since that first Russian roulette phone call when you agreed to go out with me although you had never seen me, I have been in a dream world.” The couple defied the caste system and unlike Juliet and Romeo, they lived happily ever after, (…well at least) to the extent that all broken, imperfect best friends living in a fallen world maneuver through the struggles of life. But they did it as a couple of redeemed sinners living in God’s grace seeking to find His purpose and peace to His glory. And in this moment of separation, Kay found that peace to His glory.

In the ensuing 55 years, Kay was busy completing her education, working in her chosen profession, rearing two beautiful daughters, and actively engaging in various ministries at Central Church of Christ. Kay graduated from Abilene Christian College, where she was a member of Sigma Theta Chi--with a home economics education degree. She then became the Home Economics “schoolmarm” in Spur Texas from 1975 to 1976. On July 16, 1976, Kay and Kelly married. They moved to Lubbock where she put Kelly through law school.

In 1979 when they came to Amarillo, Kay worked in the dietary department at High Plains Baptist Hospital. After their first daughter, Amy was born, Kay worked for the City of Amarillo in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program until daughter two, Emily, arrived. After six years of being a homemaker, she got the job she had always wanted, the Child Nutrition Consultant for Region 16 Education Service Center. For the next 23 years, she assisted 64 Panhandle School Districts with 226 campuses in a 26,000 square mile area with compliance, food co-ops, and training.

With two young daughters, Kay and Kelly were committed to teaching God’s Word to children. They did so and were recognized by the Central Church of Christ in 1988 for their years of service in children’s programs. As their daughters grew, Kay and Kelly became high school huddle leaders for many years inviting teenagers into their home for Bible studies. And somehow in the midst of ministering to children (hers and others) being a consummate cook, homemaker, and hostess for gatherings in her home, she found time to travel with Kelly for law activities and as he sang with an acapella singing group, the Sharks from which she developed lifelong, endearing friendships. She delighted in attending granddaughter, Addison’s activities, especially her volleyball events. Her life was full and her faith inspiring. Her love for her family and their love for her were unparalleled.

In 2018, Kay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Despite her diminutive stature, Kay had the faith, inner strength, and character shaped by the Holy Spirit to face the attendant serious physical health challenges that would debilitate and defeat almost anyone; however she did not give up. She fought the battle with Parkinson’s with vigor, positivity, and grace. Her physical limitations and pain could not defeat her complete trust in God and her passion for loving and serving others.

On May 4, 2026, Kay suffered a fall at home that led to her hospitalization for the next seven weeks. Despite extraordinary medical efforts, her body was simply too frail to survive. On June 22, 2026 with Kelly, Amy, and Emily by her side, she won the victory over Parkinson’s and was welcomed by Jesus into perfect eternal peace and joy. We rejoice that she has been freed and we long for the resurrection.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Bruce Carter. She is survived by her husband Kelly, daughters Amy Monk and husband Travis of Amarillo; and Emily Utsinger and husband Tyson Wilson and their daughter Addison of Fritch, Texas; her sister Susie Masters of Dallas; nephew Monte Masters and wife Julie Masters of Dallas and their children Abbey Nieman and husband Collin, Bret Masters, and Chad Masters; and niece Lisa Armstrong and husband Travis of Odessa and their son Brance and Darci Armstrong and their children Sloan and Banks of Abilene; and Bailey and Hayden McHan and their son Cooper of Dallas; and by her sister-in-law Jill Anderson of Dallas and Jill’s children, Michelle Orton and husband Chip of Amarillo and Wade Whitener and wife Laura of Dallas. Her dog Jack misses Kay dearly.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Kay’s name may be made to Christian Relief Fund for drilling water wells in Africa.