Frances "Kay" Reaves

Frances Kay Reaves (known to most as “Kay”), 81, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, at her home at Bella Mar Assisted Living in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Kay was born in Grand Junction Colorado July 20, 1945, and was raised in Ellis, Kansas. At the age of 16, she moved with her family to Kansas City, Kansas, where she later attended Kansas City Kansas Junior College and earned her associate’s degree in business administration.

In 1965, Kay married Robert James, and together they had two daughters, Renie Kay and Kristie Lynn. During her young adult years, Kay and her family moved many times before eventually settling in Palm Beach County, Florida. After she became single in 1986, she devoted herself to building a life filled with family, friendship, faith, and service.

Kay enjoyed a career as an administrative assistant, spending much of her professional life at the South Florida Water Management District in West Palm Beach. She formed many lasting friendships with the people she worked with and remained connected to many of them throughout the years.

Her Christian faith was a central part of Kay’s life. She was a faithful member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, where she was a frequent soloist, sang in the church choir and founded a small worship ensemble called Witness. Her faith also led her to participate in the Southeast Florida Upper Room’s #2 Walk to Emmaus retreat. She went on to become an impactful member of many subsequent Emmaus and Southeast Florida Chrysalis teams, touching the lives of countless people through her faith. In more recent years she attended church with her granddaughters at Christ Fellowship in Royal Palm Beach.

Kay loved painting, coloring, reading, and, perhaps most of all, spending time with people. She cherished her circle of friends from her neighborhood, church, and from the South Florida Water Management District, and she enjoyed socializing and making others feel welcome. Her favorite place to be, however, was with her family and grandchildren. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with them.

Kay was often described as having a heart of gold. Her laugh, humor, and genuine love for others left an impression on those who knew her well. In her later years, she became a beloved member of the Bella Mar community, where she was surrounded by people who came to know and love her.

Kay is survived by her daughters, Renie Kay Davisson and Kristie James Romer; her granddaughters, Erin Amanda Davisson and Samantha Laine Davisson; her sons-in-law, Paul Davisson Jr. and Kenneth Romer; her niece, Leslie Reaves; and her nephew, Eric Reaves.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Odell Reaves and Norma Gene Reaves (Martin), her brother, Laine Odell Reaves, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Kay leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, friendship, and service. Above all, she leaves behind the love of a family who will forever cherish the memories of a mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who truly had a heart of gold.

In lieu of a traditional funeral service, the family will gather on Friday, September 25, 3;00pm at Bella Mar Assisted Living for a celebration of Kay’s life. The gathering will be open to visitation, allowing family, friends, and members of the Bella Mar community to come together and remember Kay and share in the love and memories she leaves behind.

The family will also take this opportunity to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Bella Mar, who cared for Kay with compassion, kindness, and dignity during her final years. Their loving care and support meant so much to Kay and her family.

To remember Kay, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Frances Kay Reaves’ memory to Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach County, in appreciation of the compassionate care and support provided to Frances and her family.