Obituary: Kathryn T. Labyak

Visitation for Kathryn T. Labyak, 89, will be held on Monday, July 23, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.

Kathryn "Kay" Labyak passed away on Friday, July 20, 2012. She was born on August 23, 1922 in Carrollton, GA to the late James Franklin Terrell and America Cavender Terrell.

Kay graduated from Centralhatchee High School as Valedictorian of her class. She was awarded a scholarship to the University of Georgia but instead chose to attend Southern Business College in Atlanta. Upon graduation, Kay worked for the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. during WWII. It was in Washington that she met her husband, the late Col. (Retired) Leo F. Labyak, who was stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. 

They were married in 1944 and moved to Durham, NC following the war. Kay served as secretary to the Dean of Forestry at Duke University while Leo was pursuing his doctorate. They later settled in Columbia, S.C. and started their family. 

A devoted wife and mother, Kay was involved in her children's education and numerous activities, volunteering at school and serving as Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed gardening and served as President of Four Seasons Garden Club.

Later Kay returned to work on a part-time basis for the federal government and also worked in real estate, earning her broker's license. Eventually, she returned to work full-time for the Department of the Army (Fort Jackson), retiring in 1973. Kay and Leo moved to Hampton, Va. where they lived for eighteen years. They returned to S.C. in 1991 following Leo's retirement.

Kay was an accomplished duplicate bridge player and earned the Silver Life Master Certificate. She served as President of Unit 110-Virginia Peninsula (American Contract Bridge Association) which included Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg and Yorktown, bringing the first Regional Seniors Tournament to the area.

Surviving are her children, Carol Lynn Labyak Hodge (Clare), Gregory John Labyak and Susan Elizabeth Labyak; brother, James Franklin Terrell, Jr.; grandson, Clare C. "Chip" Hodge III (Allyson), and great-grandchildren Cole, Ryder, Lenox Kathryn and Hampton Hodge.