Iva Kay Kiser Culbertson

Iva Kay Kiser Culbertson Kay Kiser Culbertson went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 26, 2024. She was born on April 9, 1939 in Gate City, Virginia and lived most of her life in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia. She died at her home in Laurel, Mississippi. She was an only child, and was raised on her parents’ farm, Kiser’s Angus Farm, where she learned how to grow a garden, can vegetables, raise chickens, tobacco, hogs, and anything else her entrepreneurial father decided to try. She graduated from Shoemaker High School in 1955 and attended East Tennessee State University, graduating with a major in English and Business. She married her high school sweetheart, Dan Culbertson, when she was 18 and followed him to Richmond, Virginia where he attended the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. Following Dan’s dental school graduation, they moved back to their hometown of Gate City, Virginia to open a solo dental practice above the Western Auto. Kay functioned as the receptionist, dental assistant, bookkeeper, and lab technician for many years while Dan built a dental practice. She often said it was quite the challenge to be Dan’s employee during the day, and turn around and be a wife in the evening. She made it look seamless, and helped Dan build a thriving dental practice that lasted for more than 30 years. As the practice grew, she was promoted to “just the bookkeeper”, which allowed her to pursue many other volunteer and church interests in the community; this included serving on Gate City’s City Council following Dan’s service of two terms. She and Dan welcomed their only child, Danita, in 1965. In those early years, family time was often spent at the dental office, so Kay taught Danita how to develop X-rays, welcome and seat patients, and how to assist Dan. Dentistry became the family business. The practice grew, and Kay trained many dental assistants to take her place. Being a very meticulous bookkeeper, she advised Dan that he needed to either retire, or raise his fees. Not wanting to raise his fees, retirement became a reality, and Dan and Kay hit the road on their many adventures in their motorhome. Travel was always a love for both Kay and Dan. Over the course of their married life, they traveled the country in tents, a pop-up camper, an Airstream, and numerous motorhomes. Their love for exploring God’s creation knew no bounds. They loved to travel so much they even named their rescue dog Traveler. Every trip provided time to plan the next adventure. In their retirement years, they were gone more than they were at home in Virginia. Not long after the love of her life died in 2008, Kay began spending winters in Mississippi with her daughter, son- in-law, and grandchildren. She eventually bought a house on the same street, and built a new life for herself. She developed great friendships, became very active in her church, and pursued her love of genealogy. She adored being near her grandchildren, and being part of their daily life. During her years in Mississippi, she could be found tending to her yard and flowers, cooking for her church family, friends, and grandchildren, studying her Bible, reading or listening to a book, and hanging out with her “lady friends” as she called them. Kay will be remembered for her grace, independence, hospitality, and her love for her Lord and Savior. Kay is survived by her daughter, Danita Culbertson Horne (Mark); grandchildren, Kiser Horne, Sabine Horne and Fletcher Horne; and close family friend, Fay Horne. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years (Dan Ward Culbertson), and parents (Gould and Maude Kiser). Other special people in her life that she considered family include Sandy Toombs, who was the Horne family’s nanny, housekeeper, dog sitter and friend; and Daniel Sanderson, Kay’s long-term gardener and “adopted” grandson. The family is eternally grateful to Kay’s precious caregivers who tended to her every need during the last two months of her life: Quay Miranda, Delois Clark, Faye Windham, Sandra Cooley, and Kasey Sherman. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Laurel at 3 pm on Wednesday, May 29. The family will receive visitors from 1:30-3 pm. A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 1 at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Laurel First United Methodist Church (P.O Box 956, Laurel, MS 39440) or Gate City United Methodist Church for the Snak-Sac project (255 Walnut Street, Gate City, VA 24251). To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.memorychapellaurel.com

Iva Kay Kiser Culbertson

April 9, 1939 - May 26, 2024