Lagrone

Bessie Kay (Cass) Lagrone of Milano was made whole again, free from pain and with a clear mind, on the afternoon of May 25, 2022, at Winnie L Nursing Facility in Cameron.

“ M a m a Kay” followed the sunbeams up to heaven, where she got to meet Jesus face to face and see loved ones who have arrived before her.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30, at Gause Baptist Church, with burial in Smyrna Cemetery near Milano. Chad Lagrone officiated the service.

Visitation was from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale.

Kay was the baby of her family, born the second twin on Feb. 3, 1948, in Cameron, to parents Koye Arnold and Tommie Velma (Payne) Cass.

She was proudly raised in Gause and attended Gause schools for her early education. Kay then went to Milano ISD and was a proud MHS Class of 1966 graduate.

She was baptized at Gause Baptist Church as a child, and was a member of Friendship Baptist Church at the time of her passing.

Kay and husband Claude Mayson Lagrone were united in marriage on Aug. 1, 1977, at Milano Baptist Church. To this union two daughters were born, Tommie Marie and Janie Elaine.

She also earned four bonus children in the marriage, Connie Rene, Jereald Dwayne, Chad Darwin and Catrina Norine.

Kay had a heart of service her entire life. Whether in her jobs, raising her children, or spoiling her grandchildren, she was always giving and caring for others.

She held different jobs during her seven decades, but none more important to Kay than working at Milano ISD. She started out as a custodian at the secondary school campus and then became the nurse’s aide for the district.

She did not like the school kids to call her “Mrs. Lagrone” and let them use her endearing grandmother name of “Mama Kay.” Many did and still refer to her as that to this day.

Her love of children did not end with family or school. Kay was the lead organizer of the Samaritan’s Purse project for many years at Friendship Baptist Church, helping to spread God’s love to those around the world.

Kay was also a long-time writer of the “Milano News” column that ran in both the Cameron Herald and The Rockdale Reporter for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Koye and Tommie Cass.

Left to cherish Kay’s memory includes her husband of 44 and a half years, Claude Lagrone of Milano; their daughters, Marie Bakken and husband Buck of Milano, Janie Bazargani and husband Siamack of Katy, Connie Gaston and husband Gilmer of San Antonio, Catrina Steinbecker and husband Gary of Milano; sons Jereald Lagrone and wife Lynette of Gause, Chad Lagrone and wife Sherry of Milano.

Also, siblings Wanda Lee and husband Wayne of Gause, Edith Miller of Milano, Jimmy Cass and wife Eloise of Caldwell, and twin Ray Cass of Bryan.

Also surviving are 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Winnie L Nursing Facility for all of their love and care for the last four years and Embrace Hospice for their support and grace during her final days.

If you would prefer to not send flowers, donations can be made in Kay’s honor to the Milano Former Students Association scholarship fund, c/o Crystal Denman, 2147 CR 232, Rockdale TX 76567.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.