Karla Rae McKay

Karla Rae McKay (Davidson), age 73, passed away January 17, 2025, in Sun City, Arizona. Born and raised in the Berkley, Michigan area she attended and graduated from Berkley High School in 1969. She would later marry her high school sweetheart, Kenneth James McKay, with whom she raised two children in Trenton, Michigan.

Karla worked at Michigan Bell as an Operator in her younger years, and eventually found herself working at the Brownstown Police Department as a Civilian Police and Fire Dispatcher. She retired early from that career to care for her ailing Mother until her passing.

Although being raised in the city, Karla was drawn to the farm life and would dream of owning her own farm as a child and throughout adulthood. After retirement, she achieved this dream when she and her husband moved to Newport, Michigan after buying Thorntree Farms. Karla loved horses and raised Quarter horses at her farm. She got into scrap booking, genealogy, painting, and arts and crafts for several years until life called her in another direction toward, exploration, growth, and change.

Karla moved to Arizona to become independent and learn about life on her own. She lived in Sun City for about 20 years, meeting many people along the way who became lifelong friends. She went on many adventures with friends and became an active member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in Peoria, Arizona.

Karla was a Phoenix!

Her children remember her as a caring Momma who throughout their childhood always tried to put her children first. She was a Momma full of hugs, cuddles, and kisses, but beware, she demanded respect and discipline. Karla was a Mom who could bring her children anywhere with no concern of misbehavior by either; a sign of a terrific parent.

Karla loved music and would play albums loudly singing and dancing along to Bob Segar, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon, Michael Jackson, Jackson Brown, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, among many others. One of her favorite songs was “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips. Sometimes her children would hear her singing from the sidewalk of the home as they approached.

In 2002, her only grandchild was born, Jacob James McKay. He was the light of her life and his photos filled her Sun City home. To Jacob, grandma was his “Bunny”. Karla cherished every moment with her beloved grandson.

Karla is survived by her ex-husband Kenneth James McKay, her children Rebecca McKay (Holly Ciofani) and Kenneth James McKay Jr. (Cristina McKay), her grandchild Jacob, age 23 (son of Kenneth James McKay Jr.), her step grandchildren, Alex age 29, Hannah age 23 and Jacob age 20.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Davidson and N. Robertine Nelson (Stibbins), and her sister Cheryl Lynn Ramsey (Davidson).

A service for Karla will be held at the family cemetery located in Hazelton, Indiana later in 2025. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Karla’s honor to the horse rescue Hoof and Hearts, located in Jackson, Michigan (Hoofandheartsmi.org).