Kay Lynne Spray

Kay Lynne Spray (Anderson) passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, in Bakersfield, California, at the age of 74, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her family.

Kay was born in Great Falls, Montana, and moved to Bakersfield with her family when she was five years old, making it the place she would call home for the rest of her life.

Kay dedicated her life to children. She began by running an in-home daycare, taught at Wonder Window Preschool, and was a Teacher's Aide before joining the Bakersfield City School District. She spent over 30 years in the classroom at Thorner, Eissler, Fremont, and Chavez schools. Over the course of her career, she taught everything from preschool through third grade, though second grade always held a special place in her heart. All the while, Kay worked full-time and attended college at the same time, and she was especially proud of earning her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.

Outside of teaching, Kay found joy in reading, acting as a Girl Scout Leader, swimming and water aerobics, along with arts and crafts. She loved to travel and had a special fondness for the beach, and she cherished the time she spent cooking and baking together with her daughter Cheryl. Every year she poured her heart into decorating for Christmas, and she happily wore the title of self-proclaimed "cat mom."

Kay was known by everyone who loved her as humorous, kind, selfless, resilient, and endlessly dedicated — a woman who always went out of her way to make the people around her laugh. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and caregiver, and to those closest to her, she was simply their best friend. Above all, she taught her family the importance of responsibility, hard work, and dedication — values she lived out every day of her life.

Kay is survived by her husband, Randall Spray; her children, Cheryl Fay and Ron Spray; and her grandchildren, Kaylyn, Andrew, and Charlotte (children of Cheryl), and Bryce, Rickaye, and Ariel (children of Ron).