Kay Brashear

Kay Frances Brashear
September 24, 1935 – September 23, 2026
Kay Frances Brashear (née Simpkins), a beloved mother, sister, and matriarch, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2026, in Kingman, Arizona, just one day shy of her 91st birthday.

Born on September 24, 1935, in Los Angeles, California, Kay was the daughter of Mark Orlando Simpkins and Helen Johanna Iler. She grew up in the Los Angeles area alongside her siblings, Gordon and Linda.

On December 23, 1953, Kay married her beloved husband, Marion Eugene Brashear, in Glendale, California. Together, they built a life centered around family and eventually relocated to Kingman, Arizona, in the mid-1980s.

Kay was a woman of deep resilience, quiet joy, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Professionally, she dedicated many years of diligent work to various title companies. Her generous spirit extended throughout her community through her extensive volunteer work, including supporting the Kingman Museum and bringing companionship and comfort to residents of local elderly care facilities. Her dedicated service earned her well-deserved recognition and awards for her volunteer contributions over the years.

Kay also had a truly special gift for connecting with others. She possessed a rare and welcoming heart that could quickly turn friends into family, making those who crossed her path feel genuinely valued and loved.

In her personal time, Kay found great joy in reading, camping, and crocheting—hobbies that often brought her even closer to the family she adored. Her life was also filled with remarkable family adventures across the country. Together, they traveled the nation in a Volkswagen and a Model T, even making an unforgettable journey to the very top of Pikes Peak in the Model T.

Kay faced profound losses throughout her lifetime, including the passing of her husband, Marion, in 1996, and two of her beloved sons, Michael in 1984 and Gary in 2019. Despite these hardships, she remained a pillar of strength for her family.

While her true home and heart remained at her longtime residence on Franklin Drive, Kay spent her final days in the care of the warm and loving staff at Desert Highlands. Her family extends its deepest gratitude to the entire team for their exceptional care, kindness, and support, as well as for helping Kay celebrate her milestone 90th birthday surrounded by love.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Helen; her husband, Marion; her brother, Gordon Simpkins; and her sons, Michael and Gary Brashear.
Her memory will be lovingly cherished and carried forward by her surviving son, Wayne Eugene Brashear; Terri, her sister, Linda Arlene Simpkins; and the many extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by her kindness, strength, and generous heart.

Service Information
A celebration of Kay’s life will be held on October 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at 4715 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, Arizona.

Lunch will be served immediately following the service.

Family and friends are warmly invited to join together to share memories, honor Kay’s beautiful life, and support one another as we celebrate a remarkable woman who meant so much to so many.