Kathleen (Kaye) Bourne, 90, of Owings, passed this life on November 13 at Calvert Health Center after a brief struggle with pneumonia.  Kaye was born in Bladen County, North Carolina, the daughter of Montgomery Van Buren and Pauline (Martin) Rayfield. Kaye graduated from White Oak School and went on to study at Bob Jones University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  She taught in the elementary school system of Charlotte, N.C. and eventually earned a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

Several months prior to graduating, mutual friends introduced her to a farmer from Maryland.  Kaye and James began writing in February of 1962.  James showed Devon cattle at shows along the East Coast, and allegedly needed to make a trip to South Carolina to see some stock another farmer had for sale.  James asked Kaye if it would be alright to stop on his way down and meet her.  By June they were engaged.  Kaye and James were married Thanksgiving Day, 1962.

Kaye taught briefly in the Calvert County school system at Beach Elementary.  She was blessed with three children – James, III; Brenda Kaye; and Meri.  She was instrumental in the founding of Calvert Christian School and served as it’s first principal.

Kaye was active in her church and in the community, playing piano at First Baptist Church in Calvert Co., Capitol Baptist Church, and Friendship Community Baptist.  She found her real church home at Grace Brethren Church and was a member there for over 30 years.

Kaye was the secretary for the Calvert County Fair Board, and served as Chairwomen for the Calvert County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.  She founded the Clover 4-H Club and was active in the 4-H program for many years.  Like so many of her generation, she did all these things while maintaining the household economy of the farm – cooking, cleaning, helping in the fields, and raising her three children.

Kaye loved music.  She grew up in a musical family, going with her parents and siblings from church to church singing gospel music and playing the piano.  Kaye turned her love for music, children, and education into Kaye’s Music Studio.  She taught a generation of children in Calvert County how to play the piano.  It is virtually impossible to go many places in this county without finding someone whose life she didn’t touch in some way.

A summary of Kaye’s life would be incomplete without the mention of her faith in Jesus Christ.  In season, out of season, through the good and the bad, her faith did not waiver.  Kaye loved to tell people about Jesus.  She loved Him and loved everyone she met.  She was always doing her best to introduce people to her Lord.  No one who knew Kaye ever doubted her love for Jesus or her family.

Kaye was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James, Jr., and her daughter, Brenda Bourne Stair, as well as a granddaughter, Rebecca Elaine Bourne.  She is survived by her son James, III and her daughter, Meri Bourne Mireles and husband David, and grandchildren Amanda, Lauren, Hannah, and Grace Bourne, and Israel Mireles.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Kaye’s name may be made to Grace Brethren Church of Calvert County.