Toshiko (Toshi) Ahagon Kay, 85, passed away Sunday morning, December 5, 2021 at Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin, GA. Toshi was born on April 2, 1936 in Yomitan, Okinawa, Japan to the late Naitaka and Kame Ahagon, where she was raised with eight sisters and one brother.
She met her husband, James (Jim) Kay, while he was stationed in Okinawa. Jim and Toshi married in 1968 and moved several times due to Jim’s service in the United States Marine Corps. Toshi became a naturalized citizen in 1976 while residing in Hawaii.
Jim and Toshi also resided in Albany, GA, Jacksonville, NC, Havelock, NC and most recently Winchester, TN. Toshi suffered a mild stroke in 2018 and was moved to Ashley Glenn Assisted Living and later to Southland Nursing Home in Peachtree City, GA. Jim and Toshi were married for 53 years.
Toshi was a dedicated homemaker and retired elementary school cafeteria worker. She enjoyed cooking traditional Okinawan dishes to share with friends and neighbors, making time for early morning and evening walks, crocheting, gardening and canning vegetables she raised in her garden. She was an accomplished Okinawan dancer and was most proud of being able to perform traditional Okinawan dances at the wedding receptions of her children.
Toshi is survived by her husband, Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Retired) Jim Kay of Winchester, TN; her daughter, Juneko Kay-Rast (David) and their children Sophia and Camille of Peachtree City, GA; and her son, Patrick (Becky) and their children Alex and Emmeline of Huntersville, NC. She is also survived by her sisters, Yoshi, Tomi, Katsuko, Hatsuko and Fumiko; she was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Kamado and Kiko; her brother, Choksi; and her granddaughter, Ariel Hope Rast.
Toshi’s body was cremated in accordance with Okinawan custom. A Celebration of Life to honor Toshi will be scheduled at a later date.
Arrangements made under the direction of Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory in Peachtree City, GA.
