Kay Ayers Scudder
Kay Ayers Scudder
Kay Marion Ayers Scudder, 88, passed away and went to Heaven on 22 July 2026.
She was born on 8 May 1938 (Harry Truman’s BD) in New Orleans, LA, to parents, Beatrice Louise Rolland Ayers of New Orleans and Raymond Marion Ayers of Mansfield, Ohio. Kay graduated from Biloxi (MS) High School, class of 1956; attended Millsaps College, in Jackson, Mississippi, for two years as the statewide winner of General Mills’ “Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow” scholarship; and completed her undergraduate studies with a BS from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, in 1961.
Upon graduating from USM, she taught at the old Biloxi High School, moved to the new Biloxi High School and then to Michelle Junior High. In 1964 she taught kindergarten at Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore), Georgia, Children’s School, where she met her future husband, William Irvine Scudder Sr., an Infantry officer stationed there; he was the son of the school superintendent – so, Kay did, indeed, marry the boss’s son!
After marrying Bill in an Army chapel at Ft. Knox, KY, (where she taught kindergarten in the Ft. Knox system), she began to live a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting Army life. Kay traveled with Bill to Northern Virginia; three cities in Germany (Schweinfurt, Stuttgart and Mainz); West Point, NY; Quantico Marine Base, VA; Carlisle Barracks, PA; the Pentagon; and Ft. Monroe, VA, (living in York County). Additionally, Kay added to Army life by having her two children while her husband was on his second and third tours in Vietnam.
Kay was a lifelong Methodist. Learning how to sing alto in the 3rd grade, her main hobby was singing alto in the following choirs: Biloxians; Millsaps Singers; Mississippi Southern University Singers; Messiah concerts and sing-alongs; and church choirs, including the chancel choir at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Yorktown, VA, and the Sun City Center United Methodist Church Chancel Choir in Sun City Center, FL. Her other hobby included anything to do with her two children, as she was a fantastic mother.
Kay is survived in death by her husband, Col. (Ret) William Irvine Scudder Sr., 88, of Sun City Center, FL. She is also survived by a daughter, Jean Beatrice Scudder of Wimauma, FL; a son, William Irvine Scudder Jr.; his wife, Sue Pralle Scudder; and their sons, William Irvine Scudder III, Benjamin August Scudder and Nathaniel Roy Scudder, of Apex, NC. Additionally, surviving extended family members include sister-in-law, Mrs. Carolyn Ayers, and their children, Cheryl Ann (husband Bob Sauls), Tom Ayers (wife Deborah) and Andrew Ayers (wife Sadie).
Preceding Kay in death was her brother, Raymond Rolland Ayers, of Houston,TX, and dear aunt, Dorothea Rolland Lahusen, of Metairie, LA.
Kay will be interned in Arlington National Cemetery with her husband upon his passing
Kay Marion Ayers Scudder, 88, passed away and went to Heaven on 22 July 2026.
She was born on 8 May 1938 (Harry Truman’s BD) in New Orleans, LA, to parents, Beatrice Louise Rolland Ayers of New Orleans and Raymond Marion Ayers of Mansfield, Ohio. Kay graduated from Biloxi (MS) High School, class of 1956; attended Millsaps College, in Jackson, Mississippi, for two years as the statewide winner of General Mills’ “Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow” scholarship; and completed her undergraduate studies with a BS from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, in 1961.
Upon graduating from USM, she taught at the old Biloxi High School, moved to the new Biloxi High School and then to Michelle Junior High. In 1964 she taught kindergarten at Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore), Georgia, Children’s School, where she met her future husband, William Irvine Scudder Sr., an Infantry officer stationed there; he was the son of the school superintendent – so, Kay did, indeed, marry the boss’s son!
After marrying Bill in an Army chapel at Ft. Knox, KY, (where she taught kindergarten in the Ft. Knox system), she began to live a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting Army life. Kay traveled with Bill to Northern Virginia; three cities in Germany (Schweinfurt, Stuttgart and Mainz); West Point, NY; Quantico Marine Base, VA; Carlisle Barracks, PA; the Pentagon; and Ft. Monroe, VA, (living in York County). Additionally, Kay added to Army life by having her two children while her husband was on his second and third tours in Vietnam.
Kay was a lifelong Methodist. Learning how to sing alto in the 3rd grade, her main hobby was singing alto in the following choirs: Biloxians; Millsaps Singers; Mississippi Southern University Singers; Messiah concerts and sing-alongs; and church choirs, including the chancel choir at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Yorktown, VA, and the Sun City Center United Methodist Church Chancel Choir in Sun City Center, FL. Her other hobby included anything to do with her two children, as she was a fantastic mother.
Kay is survived in death by her husband, Col. (Ret) William Irvine Scudder Sr., 88, of Sun City Center, FL. She is also survived by a daughter, Jean Beatrice Scudder of Wimauma, FL; a son, William Irvine Scudder Jr.; his wife, Sue Pralle Scudder; and their sons, William Irvine Scudder III, Benjamin August Scudder and Nathaniel Roy Scudder, of Apex, NC. Additionally, surviving extended family members include sister-in-law, Mrs. Carolyn Ayers, and their children, Cheryl Ann (husband Bob Sauls), Tom Ayers (wife Deborah) and Andrew Ayers (wife Sadie).
Preceding Kay in death was her brother, Raymond Rolland Ayers, of Houston,TX, and dear aunt, Dorothea Rolland Lahusen, of Metairie, LA.
Kay will be interned in Arlington National Cemetery with her husband upon his passing