Armeta Kay Anderson, 71, longtime Ulysses resident, passed away Friday, June 20th, at her home in Ulysses.

Kay was born in Amarillo, Texas on July 21, 1953, to Monte and Carmeta Smith. Her father, a traveling Baptist Preacher, settled the family in Ulysses after moving frequently for years. Kay graduated from Ulysses High School in 1971 and immediately married George Anderson thereafter. George & Kay opened Anderson Graphics in 1979 followed by an office supply store called The File Cabinet. Jade’s Corner, a gift shop, was opened not long after. Kay enjoyed participating in community events with her businesses while many times leading the pack in local business contests. Her favorite event was Moonlight Madness on main street.

Kay was always involved with her grandchildren. She made it a point to take them once a year to the zoo. She was a proud mom and grandma.

Her favorite hobby was fishing…and she was good at it. She also enjoyed her grandchildren’s sports, crocheting, knitting, painting, making lotions and watching movies…most notably B rated horror movies. In her recent years she enjoyed gardening.

Kay loved sharing the Gospel and spending time with her Christian sisters. After losing her grandson, Payton, she dedicated her spare time honoring him by crocheting ‘Prayer Afghans’. She spent over 60 hours crocheting and praying for the person receiving the Afghan. This was how she chose to honor Payton. She purchased the yarn, made and handed out over 250 prayer Afghans since 2017.

Survivors include son, Jared Anderson of Ulysses, daughter and son-in-law, Angi and Aaron Binney of Arlington, Kansas; mother, Carmeta Smith of Rifle, Colorado; sister and brother-in-law Tommie and Frankie Balizan of Rifle, Colorado; grandchildren Kenneth and Amanda Butler of Wichita, Kansas; Sam Ashida-Butler of Wichita, Kansas; Ethan Ashida-Anderson of Wichita, Kansas; Jayce Caldwell of Ulysses, KS; Brody Caldwell of Ulysses, Kansas and great-grandchildren Crosby, Jacoby and Magnolia Butler of Wichita, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her father, Monte Smith; brother Mark Smith and grandson Payton Sanchez.

A memorial service will be Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Community Baptist Church in Ulysses, Kansas, with Pastor Steve Swann, Jr. officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Canton Cemetery in Canton, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions may be given to Kay Anderson Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.