Inez Kay Love, 77, of Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away on August 23, 2024. Born on April 10, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late William E. Nail and Ruth E. (Nail) Osborn.

Kay moved to Lawton in 1977, following several years as a military dependent. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1975 and subsequently losing her vision to Diabetic Retinopathy by 1983, Kay dedicated her life to advocacy and service. She volunteered with Crisis Hotline and Handicaps Unlimited (later Handicapable), and created a monthly newsletter on disability issues. Her impactful work included serving on the Lawton Human Rights Commission, coordinating a dialysis transportation program, and serving on the State Independent Living Council (SILC).

Despite her challenges, Kay pursued higher education, earning a BS in Psychology from Cameron University in 1991 and an MSW from the University of Oklahoma in 1994. She worked as an academic and personal counselor for Cameron University's Student Support Services (SSS) Program from 1992 to 2014, and was instrumental in accessibility and independent living initiatives. Kay served as Board President for the Wichita Independent Living Center (WILC) and played a key role in establishing the Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) and the Lawton Council of the Blind (LCB). Her efforts led to the establishment of scholarships for blind or low vision students and the hosting of the first OCB conference in Lawton in 2018. She was the current president for the Oklahoma Council of the Blind, served on the Lawton Access Board, was a long-time member of the Lawton Noon Lions Club and the Humane Society of Lawton – Comanche County.

Kay is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Thomas M. Love of Lawton; her sister Carol Horn and husband Randy of St. Louis, MO; her brother Paul Nail and wife Kelly of Nashville, TN; her daughter Theresa Milligan and husband Michael of Mustang, OK; her son Joseph Stewart and wife Michele of Norman, OK; her son Val Love and wife Betsy of Chattanooga, TN; her granddaughter Loren Pascual; her grandsons Alex Curet, Oliver Stewart, Sebastion Stewart, and Thomas Lovegroves; her great-grandson Leo Curet; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William Nail, and her sister Evelyn Rodman.

Kay's legacy of compassion, advocacy, and dedication to her community will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.

Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, September 6, 2024 in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with The Rev. Stephanie Jenkins, Rector officiating.  The family will greet friends from 6-8 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in her honor to the Oklahoma Council of the Blind, P.O. Box 1476, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.