Zetta Marie Blay
June 8, 1936 - August 23, 2025
Zetta Marie Blay was born June 8, 1936, in Newkirk, Oklahoma, to Aubrey Owen and Lela Fern Shurtz. She grew up in the rural Braman area, attending Plainview and Braman schools. In 1951, her parents moved to Blackwell where Zetta attended high school, graduating in 1954 as Valedictorian. In July of 1954, she married Kenneth Kivett and worked as a work order clerk for the Rural Electric Cooperative and several tax seasons for a local CPA. She lived and worked on their farm most of her life, in the Lost Creek and Nardin communities, being a homemaker and raising their three children. She was a member of the Nardin Methodist Church, the Kum Back Sunday School Class and active in the United Methodist Women. She also was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. In 1992, they moved into Blackwell and she attended the First Christian Church.
In 2001 she married Wilford (Will) Blay and they enjoyed playing cards and dancing. He preceded her in death in 2005. In 2007 she moved to the Grand Lake area in Grove, Oklahoma, where she and her friend Leroy Clark enjoyed lake life and they met and made many wonderful friends.
Zetta continued to be there for her children throughout their adult lives and taking care and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was one of her greatest joys. Zetta considered caregiving her life’s calling. After caring for her parents until their passing, she continued to work as a faithful caregiver for more than twenty years.
In 2017, Zetta moved to Wichita and lived at Grasslands Estates, an independent living community. She was a vibrant part of the community serving as an Ambassador, welcoming new residents, playing in canasta and pinochle groups, and assisting with planning and decorating for social events. There she met her good friend Helen. Together they cheered on the Sooners and Chiefs, rarely missing a game. She was a faithful member of the Refiner’s Family Church.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; infant son Kenneth Jr.; and her sisters, Rita Fern Busby and Mary Lou Cheney.
At the time of her passing, she was living at Newton Presbyterian Manor, appreciating the kindness and love extended to her by her caregivers.
She is survived by three children: Gaye Pennington and husband Kirk of Valley Center, Kansas; Kenna Terrell and husband Dennis of Muskogee, Oklahoma; and Greg Kivett and his companion Shannon of Lenexa, Kansas; six grandchildren, Erin Duvall and husband Chris of Rogers, Arkansas, Garrett Pennington and wife Erin of Manhattan, Kansas, Amber Moore of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Brady Wilkins and wife Desiree of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Courtney Kivett and husband Mike Miller of Olathe, Kansas, and Brogan Kivett of Overland Park, Kansas; and ten great-grandchildren, Haylen Moore, Aubri Moore, Branden Wilkins, Isabella Wilkins, Jack Duvall, Connor Duvall, Claire Duvall, Ethan Pennington, Everett Pennington, Nolan Kivett Miller; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Memorial has been established in her memory with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home.
A Funeral Service has been scheduled for 11:00 am, Friday, August 29, 2025, in the Roberts & Son Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Craig Coffey officiating. Burial to follow in the afternoon, at the Braman Cemetery.
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