Brenda Kay Gaillard's Obituary
Brenda Kay Gaillard, age 79, of Auburn, AL, passed peacefully in her sleep on April 21, 2024 after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Kay was born in Talladega, AL to Robert Maxwell Richardson and Lillian Moore Richardson. She met the love of her life, Wendell Gaillard, Jr., at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI. The two married on June 29, 1968. Dr. Wendell Gaillard, a general surgeon, opened his own practice, Gaillard Surgical Center, where Kay was his scrub nurse and office manager for over 30 years.
Kay was a warm breeze, a breath of fresh air. She greeted everyone with a smile and a hug, easily lifting the mood in every room. She genuinely loved people, did not have a selfish bone in her body, and had a way of making you feel seen and valued. Kay was also a talented, artistic soul who, in her free time, could be found sewing, playing piano, or singing in her women’s chorus or church choir.
Kay is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dr. Wendell Gaillard; her sister, Randi Morse (Evan); her two children, Kim Gaillard Whitehead (Tony) and Wendell “Chip” Gaillard, III (Nicole); and four grandchildren, Maya Hercey, Finn Whitehead, Chaz Gaillard, and Landry Gaillard. She was preceded in death by her sister, Patrician “Pat” Brazier (Jesse) and her brother Robert Maxwell “Max” Richardson, III (Harriet).
A memorial service honoring Kay’s life will be held Saturday, May 18th, at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben Street, Auburn, AL 36830 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM CST.
Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Kay’s spirit of gentle kindness made all of us feel special and valued. She was deeply loved and her memory will be cherished as a loving wife, mother, and friend to all.
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