Kathryn Ann “Kay” – Rayburn Navy Spouse

From a contemporary press report:

Kathryn Ann ”Kay” Rayburn, great-great-grand niece of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States, was the youngest of four children born to Anne and Arthur Akers, January 2, 1918 in Brentwood, Maryland, a suburb of  Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from high school in 1935, Kary started a diverse career, including sales and bookkeeping. She handled special agents’  insurance while at the FBI.The Evening Start and The Washington Post newspapers also graced her resume as well.

It was in July of 1946 she met her soon to be husband Harris ”Ray” Rayburn of Midlothian, Texas. Ray was a chief petty officer stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital After a whirlwind courtship of one month, they were married. Residing in suburban Maryland, Kathryn gave up her career to raise their only child, Wayne.

Soon after her husband’s retirement from the pharmaceutical industry, Kay and Ray moved to the Cleveland, OH area to be closer to their son and his family.

Kathryn passed away February 8, 2001 from congestive heart failure at her home in Strongsville, Ohio. Cremation was February 10, following a family memorial service. Her remains will be interred alongside her husband of 53 years at Arlington National Cemetery, April 11, 10 a.m., one year to the day  of Harris’ interment.

Kathryn is survived by her son, Wayne and daughter-in-law, Michele of  Strongsville, OH; grandsons, Aaron of Shaker Heights, OH and Tyson of Akron, OH; nieces, Karen Akers of Gaithersburg, MD and Shirley Raabe of  Kirkland, WA; Shirley’s husband, Jim; grandniece, Kathryn Raabe and  grandnephew, Chris Raabe, also of Kirkland, WA and nephew, William Akers of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the American Heart Association or Diabetes Association. All friends of Kathryn and her family are invited to attend the ceremony.

May our Lord’s light shine on her always.


RAYBURN, KATHRYN A

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/02/1918
  • DATE OF DEATH: 02/08/2001
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6-N1  ROW 4  SITE 1
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF RAYBURN, HARRIS JONES  HMC   US NAVY

RAYBURN, HARRIS JONES

  • HMC   US NAVY
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 06/10/1919
  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/08/2000
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6-N1  ROW 4  SITE 1
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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