Kay Copeland Hunter

Kay Copeland Hunter, 78, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

A funeral service to honor Kay’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, December 19th at Munden Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Billy Knox. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service.

Kay was born on May 12, 1947, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to Frank Copeland and Mary Penry Copeland. Kay lost her father at a young age and moved to Carteret County, NC when her mother met and married Ray Gillikin from Otway.

Kay met the love of her life and after a few dates at El’s Drive-In, she would marry Troy “Buddy” Hunter Jr. in 1965. She was warmly welcomed to the large Hunter family, gaining two brothers and seven sisters. Kay and Troy were married 52 years before he went to be with the Lord in 2017.

A member of Community Baptist Church, Kay lived a life rooted in faith. Her love for the Lord guided her daily walk, and she found comfort and strength within her church family. Kay cherished the time she spent with family, especially her precious grandchildren who were the light of her life.

Kay found much needed peace growing tomatoes, which she nurtured and loved to eat before they ripened. She enjoyed cooking family favorites for the holidays and will be missed terribly this holiday season. May we all live with the devotion, kindness and love that she carried with her throughout her life.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughters, Jackie Baber (Donny) of Morehead City, NC and Angie Baylis (Rich) of Newport, NC; son, Troy “Trey” Hunter, III (Genevieve) of Beaufort, NC; sister, Roxann Kyzer of Little Rock, AR; sisters-in-love, Alice Hardesty and Jeanette Diebert; brother-in-love, Jack Hunter; and grandchildren, Chad Hunter, Caitlin Hunter, Caroline Baylis, Emme Baber, and Hunter Baylis.

In addition to her parents, Frank Copeland, Ray and Mary Gillikin, Kay was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Troy E. Hunter Jr.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Community Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1119 Newport, N.C. 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.