Olive Kay Genig

COLUMBIA - Olive Kay Genig, 81, joined her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Kay is now and forevermore celebrating her Rebirth Day in Heaven with her late husband, Harry Genig, born October 1, 1947. Kay was the daughter of the late Wilbur “Shorty” Fowler and Eva Jane Winchester Fowler. She was sister to the late Wayne Roy “Buddy” Fowler (Sheila), the late Saundra “Sonny” Jo Arnold (Danny), and the late Reva Deloris Fowler. Born in New Castle, Indiana on November 6, 1942, Kay was raised in the small, single-stoplight town of Mooreland, Indiana. She was a proud graduate of Mooreland High School, Class of 1961. As a young adult, Kay yearned for the bustle of city life and moved to Dayton, OH, where she became an active member of Parkview Church of the Nazarene. While in Dayton, she attended Sinclair Community College and learned sign language to speak with the deaf. She was eventually hired by NCR (National Cash Register) and worked at their Headquarters in Dayton where she was introduced to and began dating her fellow NCR coworker, Harry Genig. He would also become an active member of Parkview Church of the Nazarene, leaving his Evangelical Lutheran heritage behind. The couple married on November 18, 1978 at Parkview Church of the Nazarene. On December 15, 1981, the happy couple would officially adopt their only child, a daughter named Karla, whom they named after Harry’s father, the late Karl Genig (deceased Oct. 27, 1995). Upon Karla’s adoption, the decision was made that Kay would become a full-time Homemaker, Wife & Mom. In 1983, Harry took a new position with NCR and the family relocated from Oakwood, OH to Columbia, SC. There the family would become active members of Columbia First Church of the Nazarene for many years to come. The Genig family was at church “every time the doors were open”. For many years, Kay was involved in teaching and preparing youth of all ages for Nazarene Bible Quiz Meets. She and her husband, Harry, also taught Girls Sunday School for several years. The couple were also members of the Neely Friendship Sunday School class. Kay devoted her life to her family, both immediate and extended. She was ever the nurturer, caregiver, teacher, home and meal maker, errand-runner, activity transport driver, sidelines cheerleader, moral and spiritual supporter, advocator, and when needed, the disciplinarian (as this was something that her husband, Harry, preferred not to do). Kay was also notorious for her inability to be punctual and joked her whole life, saying “Someday, I’ll be late to my own funeral!” Kay will be lovingly remembered for her inability to be on time for anything a day in her life, for her outgoing personality and loyalty as a friend, her heart for Jesus and helping those in need, her unwavering loyalty and dedication to her family; her beautiful smile, her youthful, nearly wrinkle-free face and her captivating, light-filled, sparkling, gold-flecked blue eyes…and God bless her, for that adorable waddle she always had when she walked because of her back surgery and double knee replacements! Kay’s memory will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Surviving is her only child, her devoted daughter: Karla Guilloty of Lexington; grandsons: Diego Guilloty of Columbia and Logan Guilloty (Elicia) of Greenville. Also surviving are her nephews and nieces: Richard Fowler (Machelle) of Ohio, Amy Fowler-Shores of North Carolina, Erin Arnold-McDaniel of Ohio; great-nephews and great-nieces: Molly and Casey Fowler of Ohio, Gage and Gannen McDaniel of Ohio, and Tyler, Trevor and Ava Shores of North Carolina. Kay is also survived by many other loving cousins. Temples-Halloran Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visitation & Chapel Service will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024 at the Temples-Halloran Chapel beginning at 11:30am, followed by Graveside Committal at 12:45pm at Bush River Memorial Gardens.