Virginia Karol DeKay's Obituary
Virginia (Ginger) Karol DeKay of McKinney, Texas was born on 12 February 1947 in Houston, Texas to Thomas J. Boyd and Rubye H. (Rufus) Boyd. Ginger passed away at the age of 77 on 4 March 2024. She was married to Robert B. DeKay for 45 years. She worked as a school cafeteria manager at Enfield Elementary School in Ithaca, NY for over a decade and continued helping with school lunchtime at Kerr Elementary School in Allen, TX for the past 8 years. One day, a student came up to her and said, “Ms. Ginger, you are my favorite person.” That about sums it up. She was a favorite person to many who knew and loved her. Her earthly treasures can be measured by her loving family, who will miss her dearly but have the assurance that someday, we will be reunited with her again.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40. Ginger had a huge heart for the broken and less fortunate that she encountered. If you knew her, she loved you and she prayed for you. If you needed it, she would have gladly given you her last penny. Her love was given without condition, without judgement, and with open arms.
Ginger loved her family. Ginger loved all of God’s creatures but especially horses and German Shepherds, all flowers and plants, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Nicholas Sparks’ books, scary movies with jump scares, chocolate, Tex-Mex food, black and white movies from Turner Classic Movies, Animal Planet, and the color navy blue. Her faith, her moral insight, and strength of character will live on for a very long time. All of Ginger’s amazing qualities and life lessons have been passed down to her children and grandchildren. Her legacy is more than enough for any good life and our appreciation and love for her will be everlasting.
Ginger is preceded in death by her husband, father, mother, a grandchild, Kaylee Maddux, and many friends.
Ginger is survived by her son Lieutenant Colonel USMC (retired) Gary (Nancy) Maddux; step-son Senior Investigator Detective Bureau Harris County Sheriff’s Office (retired) Robert (Mary) Barnaba; daughter Bobbie Jo (Matthew) Shoemake; grandchildren, Tiana (Charlie) Maddux, Madison (Zakary) Maddux, Garrett Maddux, Chase (Kelly) Barnaba, Clayton (Paige) Barnaba, Shelby Woodman, Haleigh Jo Shoemake, and Travis B. Shoemake; great-grandchildren Pecas and Phoenix Barnaba; sisters Helen Hext and Becky Boyd; brother Thomas Jefferson (Julie) Boyd Jr.; brother-in-law Jimmy DeKay; and many nieces and nephews Amanda Hext, Sandy (Jay) Spivak, Breanna Boyd, and T.J. (Kim) Boyd III.
A graveside service will be held at South Park Funeral Home in Pearland, TX. Information on the service will be provided soon.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in honor of Ginger DeKay to Allen Veterinary Hospital. A check can be mailed to 803 E. Main St. Allen, TX 75002. Donations will help provide care and medicine to one of God’s greatest gifts, pets.
A graveside service honoring Virginia DeKay's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 30 March 2024, at South Park Cemetery 1310 N. Main St., Pearland, TX 77573.
What’s your fondest memory of Virginia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Virginia?
Share a story where Virginia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Virginia you’ll never forget.
How did Virginia make you smile?
