San Angelo Women of Distinction Spotlight - Kay Campbell

Kay Campbell

Kay Campbell was born and raised in Paint Rock, Texas. She graduated from Paint Rock High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University. She married her husband, Fred, whom she has known since she was nine-years-old, just a short time after graduation. Kay is the proud mother of two, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of two, with one more on the way.

Growing up during the Great Depression was not easy for Kay. Her father passed away when she was just five, and her mother was left to raise Kay and her three brothers by herself. Kay attributes a vast amount of her knowledge and strength to the strong example set by her mother, and to Girl Scouts for introducing her to theatre, music, and art. After marrying Fred, they moved around quite frequently before settling down on a ranch in Paint Rock. Wherever they moved, Kay never failed to be an active part of the community, whether as an art teacher, Sunday school teacher, or an active member of the PTA. She has received numerous awards throughout her teaching career and has dedicated her life to preserving and spreading her knowledge of the pictographs located on her ranch.

Although Kay is “retired”, she has never stopped working and you could say that she has never stopped being a teacher to her entire community. She is still an active member of the Paint Rock Methodist Church, where she is a Sunday school teacher for children, and an important part of the Archeological Society where she consistently receives recognition for her efforts on behalf of the community. Kay greatly enjoys conducting tours of the pictographs that are on her ranch for school children, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and adult nature groups in her free time. Her vast knowledge and title of “Keeper of the Flame” has allowed her to teach the history of Native Americans effortlessly to children who each year desire to return to learn more. Kay has become the chief promoter of Paint Rock and many believe that there is no one who has given more to her community as she has.  The values and lessons she learned in Girl Scouts are exemplified by her lifelong dedication to service and her commitment to knowledge.  

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website.