Linda Kay Berry

Linda “Kay” Berry, 83, of Waco, passed away peacefully Friday, February 20, 2026, in Waco.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 28, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Pastor Roy Marshall officiating.

Kay was born to Norman Russell and Mary Elliston Berry on July 17, 1942, in Seagraves, TX. After the family moved to Abbott, Texas, she graduated as the Salutatorian of Abbott High School and began her university studies at Baylor University. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she continued her education and earned a master’s degree in social work from Louisiana Tech University.

She began her professional career with the Texas Employment Commission (now the Texas Workforce Commission) where she served for 30 years, first in Austin, Texas and then moving to the Waco office where she took an early retirement. She then joined the Registrar’s office of Baylor University where she served another 23 years before retiring again.

Kay was active for many years with Waco Altrusa, and volunteered at her church, First Woodway Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member of the choir for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her sister-in-law, Paula Berry.

She is survived by her brother, Russell Berry of Abilene, Texas; her niece, Kristin Berry Stevens, and husband, Tony of Wylie, Texas; her nephew, Jeff Berry of Graford, Texas; great-nieces, Berry Stevens and Charleigh Stevens of Wylie, Texas and Elliston Berry of Aledo, Texas; great-nephews, Parker Berry of Aledo, Texas and Jake Heaps of Weatherford, Texas; several cousins from the Elliston and Berry family as well as many dear friends from First Woodway and Altrusa.

The family is grateful to the staff at Wesley Woods for their incredible care over this past year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the ministries of First Woodway Baptist Church or to Baylor University Scholarship Fund.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on Linda’s “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.