Kathy Layne Myers, 59, of High Island, died, Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

Born on November 26, 1953, in Anahuac, she was the daughter of Marie “Bootsie” Evelyn Payton and Eddie Payton.

Momma Kathy, aka “Fat Girl”, nicknamed by her husband, Paul, was well known throughout the small community of High Island. She was deeply involved in the education system of High Island Independent School District, proudly serving on the school board for twenty plus years. Momma Kathy was a big fan of the High Island Cardinals and belonged to the Cardinal Club. She gave so much of her time with family and friends in the community in the annual preparation of crab balls and helped with the High Island Cardinal Crab Ball booth at the Texas Rice Festival.

Some of her hobbies were cross stitching and quilting, which she loved to make beautiful blankets and throws for her grandchildren. After raising her three beautiful daughters, her grandchildren became the focus of her life bringing her much joy and happiness. One of the many things that friends and family remember of Momma Kathy is her genuine love, generosity, and open door policy she had with everyone. Noted by her brother, Ben and sister, Becky as a “true flower child of the sixty’s and seventy’s”. Ben recalled the fear he felt as a child from the presence of strangers in their home, brought in from the beach, by big sister, Kathy, who only wanted to provide them with food and shelter. Ben went on to say, that by the next day, he would feel safe again knowing that these strangers were just people in need. That is the impact of this woman’s care, that so many have had the opportunity to feel.....an open home, open arms, and always and always an open heart.

She is survived by her parents, Eddie and Marie Evelyn Payton of Stowell; husband, Paul Frederick Myers, of High Island; daughters, Erika Layne Miles and her husband, Robert, of Katy; Evelyn Marie “Evie” Brindley and her husband, Chris, of High Island; and Emily Jo Ball and her husband, Kristian, of Norfolk, Virginia; brother, Ben Payton and his wife, Laurie, of Stowell; sister, Rebecca Frisby and her husband, James, of Port Arthur; grandchildren, Konnor and Dade, of High Island;  Alyssa, Audrey, and April, of Katy; best friend, Margie Shanley; and numerous other family members and friends.

A gathering of Mrs. Myers’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 13, 2013, at Broussard’s. Her committal will be held at Broussard’s Crematorium, 5150 Stivers Drive, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her honor, may be made to the High Island Cardinal Club, c/o Benny Barrow, P. O. Box 82, High Island, Texas 77623.