Glenda Watkins' Obituary
Glenda Kay Watkins, mother and long-time Tulsa restaurateur in Tulsa, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 at the age of 79. Kay was born to Glen Gibson and Ruby Geren Gibson on April 18, 1944 in Tulsa, Okla. She is survived by her daughter, Kelli Watkins Bruer, son Marc Watkins, grandson Austin Bruer and great-granddaughter Ruby.
Kay spent her early years working alongside her mother at the family-owned Kay's Restaurant at 31st Street and South Yale Avenue. While immersing herself in the restaurant at 14 years old, Kay also stayed active in school, serving as a Liberty Bell at Edison High School, and she loved riding horseback in parades. As an adult, opened Kay’s Too Restaurant and operated Ruby’s Restaurant, alongside Ruby, Glen and Marc carrying on the family legacy.
A savvy, no-nonsense business owner with a gift for organization, Kay ran an efficient but welcoming kitchen, serving up simple and satisfying dishes. Tulsa families lined up outside the door for her celebrated pan-fried chicken (never deep-fried) pulley bones, salisbury steak, mouth-watering dinner rolls, mashed potatoes with gravy and homemade pies. Outside of the restaurant business, she enjoyed her group of friends and had a passion for sports cars. Vintage or new, Kay owned convertibles, including a British-made Austin Healey, several Corvettes and loved driving her little, red 20-year-old Lexus sports coupe. Marc Kelli and their friends cruised around with Kay with the top down in her shiny, new Cadillac convertible blasting Neil Diamond songs.
Socially, there were few occasions where Kay and her three best friends didn’t show up with a crock pot ready to have some fun celebrating a birthday or OU football game. Kay loved planning gatherings and would look for reasons to create an event and make it happen. Daughter Kelli remembers Kay as a traditional mom who stayed busy even when not at the restaurant, whether it was making homemade costumes, attending PTA meetings or spending quality time outdoors fishing and cooking over the campfire with her family. Kay consumed cookbooks like others read novels. Books laden with recipes lined the upstairs of her home.
A tough, independent businesswoman, Kay was diligent about the family earnings and savings but also enjoyed taking her chances on scratch-off lottery tickets, which she annually tucked into Christmas cards as well. She won a good sum of money at one point, but being a private person never told anyone until recently asked. She laughed told how much she had won once and pleaded “don’t tell.” Kay was conscientious in every area of life, and she was admired for her lasting devotion to friends and family members, dutifully going to their aid or bedside.
Kay showed her love and pride for Marc and Kelli through her actions. Newspaper articles about Kelli throughout her career still hang on the refrigerator. Marc who took after Kay in his capacity for caregiving, will be forever appreciated for his endless love and support. He made sure Kay had everything she needed at home or in the hospital, including her daily Tulsa World newspaper. Knowing what was happening in her community was important.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby and Glen Gibson, the father of her children Marcus Roger Watkins, as well as her closest friends, Collie, Kathy and Rebecca and three constant companions, Yorkshire Terriers Miss Priss and Tinkerbell. Her third Yorkie, Katy had been through many illnesses and she held on until Kay’s death.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan 10 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan 11. at Floral Haven Cemetery.
Donations in her honor can be made to Humane Society of Tulsa and Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa.
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