FAY W. MCKENERY

1935-2018

Fay Ann Williams McKenery passed away peacefully on March 16, 2018. She was surrounded by her loving family. As they were singing her favorite hymns she was called home to be with the Lord. Fay was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to James and Henrietta Williams on December 3, 1935. She is preceded in death by her parents, her son Paul Alan McKenery; and sisters, Joan Peterson and Jane Ferry. She is survived by her husband Jaye A. McKenery, son David J. McKenery, daughter-inlaw Lolly McKenery, three grandchildren Laura, David and Michael McKenery, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fay came from a very musical family. She began playing piano at a young age and by junior high she was also learning to play the church organ. In high school she became the organist at The Evangelical & Reformed Church in McKeesport, PA. In addition to piano and organ, Fay played 1st chair alto sax in the school band. It so happened that Jaye McKenery played 2nd chair alto sax and the rest is history. He became the love of her life and soul mate. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage. Jaye continued his studies and became an accomplished tenor soloist and choral director. Together they led the music ministry at Immanuel Presbyterian Church and served as cantor and organist for Temple B’nai Israel , both in McKeesport, PA.

In 1972 Jaye was transferred to Houston by his employer, Mesta Machine Company. Shortly after settling in Fay & Jaye were recruited to lead and develop the music program for a new church called Northwoods Presbyterian Church on FM 1960. Four years later they would become the music ministry director and organist at Spring Woods United Methodist Church where they served for over 25 years and enjoyed a very successful music program. Fay also became the handbell director at Spring Woods UMC and son David joined them in later years to develop the church orchestra and contemporary worship ministry. In addition to her love and service to church music ministry, Fay held a degree in accounting and joined son David’s firm Gulftex Industrial Sales Company in 1991. She was responsible for all of the bookkeeping and accounting needs of the business. She retired from Gulftex in 2015.

Fay enjoyed helping and serving the community in many ways by participating in numerous church ministries, Northwest Assistance Ministries, Conroe Assistance League, The Shriner’s Burns Hospital for Children, and others. Fay counted her biggest blessing on earth to be her family and she always looked forward to the holidays when they would all gather together. Loving wife, mother and grandmother, Fay will be remembered as a soft spoken lady of distinction who loved God and her family and was committed to a life serving others.

There will be a service to celebrate the life of Fay W. McKenery at a later date. You are invited to email dmckenery@msn.com for more information about the service.

You are invited to leave a written condolence on our website at www.shmfh.com.