Fay attended the Lander country school until entering high school at Yoakum High School. She graduated in 1943. After graduation, she and one of her sisters lived in Houston where she worked as a telephone operator. While walking in downtown Houston, she was approached and recruited by the Mary Beth McDonald Modeling Agency. After working a few jobs for them, she became engaged to Arthur and stopped modeling.

Fay and Arthur lived in Columbus and continued the successful construction business started by Arthur’s parents. Fay answered phone calls, recorded bids from subcontractors, and kept the records. They moved from Columbus temporari ly when working on big construction projects but returned home once they were completed. They had three children, James (Jim), William (Bill), and Amy.

In addition to assisting with the family business, Fay was a wonderful cook and homemaker. She was a member of the PTO, chaperoned on school buses, and served as a homeroom mother making sandwiches, cookies, and cupcakes. She assisted with fund raising for the school band, the building of the new Columbus Hospital, the Historical Society, Live Oak Art Club, Magnolia Homes Tour, and other local organizations. Fay was an active member of the Methodist Church and belonged to the Women’s Circle and Missionary Society. Since 1951, she was part of a birthday club with many of her friends. This tradition continued for more than 60 years.

Fay cared for fami ly members and friends that were elderly or ill. She made many trips to Yoakum and Victoria to visit and care for family. She would visit nursing home residents so they wouldn’t be so lonely. When Arthur became so ill with Alzheimer’s that he needed to go to a nursing home, Fay’s devotion to him was incredible. She spent a significant part of each day at the nursing home to care for him.

Fay dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with family and friends. She greatly enjoyed holidays, parties, and dancing. She enjoyed helping plan and then attending her 100th birthday party. She lived through hard times, World War II, and the hardship of the Great Depression. But she had a positive attitude and created a wonderful life for her family.

Fay died on Sept. 12, 2026, at her home in Columbus. She is survived by her children William Arthur Evans (Charles Hazlegrove) of Houston and Columbus, and Amy Louise Othold (Reginald) of Shiner; grandsons Jordan (Ann Marie) Othold and Justin Othold of Shiner; and great grandchildren Joy and Jackie Beaver, Blaze Othold, and Finnley, Sofia, and Carter Othold of Shiner. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, son James Newton, her parents, six sisters and one brother.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m.at First United Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Leah King officiating. A reception will follow at the Family Life Center.

Honorary Pallbearers are her caretakers who cared for her at her home through her later years with great kindness and compassion. They are Maria Martinez, Sheila Toliver Jackson, Deborah Coleman, Mary Etta Williams, Dynasty Johnson, Cecelia and Lexi Ybarra, Tyranny Basco, Terry Herrera, Carlene Upson, Stacy Alley, Ann Marie Othold, and the late Jean Williams.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1229 Milam St, Columbus, TX 78934, the Columbus Cemetery Association, c/o JoAnn Venghaus, P.O. Box 1264, Columbus, TX 78934, Hebron Cemetery, 1467 CR 350, Shiner, TX 77984 or charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.