Donna "Kay" (Leverett) Haile

Donna "Kay" (Leverett) Haile, age 78, passed away peacefully at home in Albuquerque after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, May 20, 2022.
Kay is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lynn Haile; daughter, Lori Haile Van Amburg; son, Lance Haile (Kim); sister, Sue Burk (Bob); grandchildren: Chase (Riley), Reid, and Jeanne Van Amburg, Zane Haile, and Allen Birmingham; nephew, Rease Burk (Kathy); niece, Paige Matheson (Michael); as well as great-nieces; and nephews: Grant and Avery Matheson, Sarah, and Mayes Burk. Kay was born in Carlsbad, NM on December 4, 1943, and was preceded in death by her parents, Jack, and Bennie (Leverett) Reed. She was raised in Odessa, TX.
Kay attended and graduated, as the first class of Odessa Permian High School to attend all four years, in 1962. She attended Texas Tech University and Colombia Business College before marrying Lynn and raising her children, who she considered her two greatest accomplishments. Well before her time, she was an entrepreneur in her own right, operating several businesses and owning/running a Diet Center sub franchise. Once her children were grown, she then worked for Southwest Airlines for almost 20 years. Kay is best known for her generous heart and selflessness, her passion for her family, and her love of the outdoors, her gardens, and making homemade greeting cards. Those who were fortunate enough to know her will remember her beautiful eyes, smile and elegant presence. She was adored by her nurses, doctors, friends, and family to her very last days. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., at FRENCH - Westside, followed by a reception on-site.