By Mary Jo Harrod

For Shelbyville's Kay Waldridge, there are no strangers, just friends she hasn't met. After spending about 45 years in Shelby County volunteering her services, there are likely few people who have not been touched by Kay's kindness and caring heart. Recently, she was recognized for her volunteer efforts in the community when she was awarded the Body, Mind & Spirit Award for Shelby County at the Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Women's Wellness Affair. 

Geri Roberts, Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Auxiliary president, said, "As our auxiliary began planning our Women's Wellness Affair, we realized there were many outstanding women who are connected in one way or another to the health and well-being of our communities. We weren't aware of any opportunity to recognize their efforts -- so we created our own award. Our only challenge each year is narrowing the list of nominees, because there are so many deserving women in Shelby, Henry and Spencer counties."

In its third year, the Body, Mind & Spirit awards were created to honor women in the community, not with a focus on business or industry but to recognize the contributions of women who serve as examples for their stewardship of home, health or spiritual matters. Nominations come from within the auxiliary and the criteria for nomination is that the women must live in Shelby, Henry or Spencer counties, which is the primary service area of the hospital. Next, the nominees must be good examples of health and wellness, either in mind, body or spirit. Also, the nominees must have a demonstrated commitment to their communities through participation in civic, professional or religious groups.

This is what was written about Kay Waldridge for the awards program.

"Like our other recipients, Kay has been extremely active in her community. She's volunteered for the Red Cross for the past 25 years, has volunteered for the Helping Hand ministry, and is a vital member of the First Baptist Church. At First Baptist, she's served in a number of roles and chaired her share of programs and events. And like our past recipient, this lady has the gift of hospitality -- opening her home to family, friends, and really anyone in need. She's been a foster mother to three children, and never missed a beat in supporting her own three sons, her six grandchildren and her husband. When asked to share her best traits, we heard over and again 'strength, giving and compassion.' "

Kay who was born in Williamson, W.Va., was a student at Georgetown College majoring in science with a minor in French, when she met her future husband, Dr. Ron Waldridge. When the Waldridges married and later moved to Shelby County, Kay taught advanced science at Waggener High School in Louisville and began a lifetime of volunteer activities in the county. 

Dr. Geoffrey McGillen, a pastor at First Baptist Church where Kay and Ron are members, has known Kay for many years. "She is accomplished and organized, doing things with great love and expediency," he said. "Kay was inspired to start and be in charge of a bereavement committee in our church after one of her sisters had cancer and lived with them for nine months until her death. It is wonderful as a minister to know that Kay will take over as head of the Bereavement Committee with tact and diplomacy. She is awesome, and we are glad to have her in our church. Kay is the ultimate volunteer."

Kay, who turned 69 in April, and her husband have three sons, Chris, Jeff and Ron, who is also a physician in practice with his father. Not only are Kay and Ron devoted to each other and their sons, but they are loving, enthusiastic grandparents to six grandchildren between the ages of 2 and 9. They have opened their home to three foster children as well. Don't be surprised when you run into Kay at a grandchild's soccer game. As McGillan said, "Kay and Ron melt around their grandkids." 

Ron Waldridge praises his wife's community spirit.

"She has had a finger in every volunteer pie from the American Red Cross, being a school volunteer when our sons were students, to the Momma Rockets, an organization of the mothers of sports players, where the mothers did projects and cooked meals for the boys," he said.

Mary Lloyd Farmer has been Kay's friend for 40 years.

"Kay has a great sense of humor and laughs at her own mistakes and messes," she said. "She is very family-oriented, caring, the most trusted friend. Kay has strong Christian values and a tender heart. Back in 1978 when we had heavy, drifting snow, I couldn't get to my own house, so I stayed with Kay and Ron. That evening a stranger whose car had stalled in the snow knocked on the door. Kay and Ron gave him a bed for the night. The next morning, Kay cooked breakfast for all of us, laughing and talking. Kay and Ron share what they have, opening their home to anyone who needs it and never keep track of what they give to others."

Mary Lloyd calls her friend "a natural giver and a great listener who goes with the flow and makes friends easily." 

Though Kay is modest and doesn't think she is special in what she does, Mary Lloyd disagrees and remembers when Kay had a friend come in from out of town for the funeral of a family member. The day after the funeral Kay invited the friend and about 30 of that friend's family members to dinner at her house to help ease the friend's grief. For Thanksgiving, Kay and Ron invite more than 50 people for dinner. Mary says Kay is a great cook and doesn't worry if her house is not spotless. "Kay is comfortable in her own skin." 

Besides her church, the Red Cross and her sons' schools, Kay has volunteered for Helping Hands, a benevolent organization, Operation Care and Henderson House. Kay and Ron live in an historic house on a farm, surrounded by cattle, chickens, ducks, peacocks, guineas, horses, dogs and cats. All of those animals come in handy for entertaining, too. As Kay said, "When the grandkids come to visit, we play outside and feed the ducks."

Though Kay Waldridge doesn't think she has done anything special, she has a husband, family, friends -- an entire community -- that think otherwise.