Frances Kay Golliher

Frances ‘Kay’ Applegarth Golliher, 78, of Niota, TN died February 23, 2021 from complications of double pneumonia and abdominal surgery. She was surrounded by her three daughters and grandson during her passing. 

Frances Kay Applegarth was born February 17, 1943 in Casper, WY to Andrew Joseph and Irma Maxine Applegarth, where her Dad worked in the oil fields. When Kay was two, the family moved back to the Sand Hills of Nebraska living south of Whitman and then north of Hyannis where Kay began school at Red Mill. She attended school there through the eighth grade. She attended high school at St Agnes Academy in Alliance, NE and later in life obtained her GED. 

Kay married Robert (Bob) Coons June 6, 1959 in Hyannis. To this union were born seven children; Bob and Kay divorced in 1977 and she moved to TN where she started her trucking career. She loved her life of travel and adventure. She visited every state except for Hawaii. 

Kay and her dog Molly moved to Kansas City, MO in November 2018 to live with her oldest daughter Roberta and son-in-law Adolfo. She returned to TN to care for her daughter Roxann. Kay lived with her dear friend Kitty so she could still be close to her. 

Those who were blessed to be a part of her life are her children, Roberta Coons (Adolfo Mendoza), Rhonda Arledge (William), Cecil Coons (Pamela), Rosalie Rozmiarek (Kenneth), Roxann Macon (Daniel), Billy and Robert (Bobby) Coons (Joy); she was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Adam Salisbury, Dustin Salisbury, Alex Arledge, Kayla Lien (Jeff), Cassandra Chessmore (Tom Morrison), Cecilia (CeCe) Coons, Joseph Rozmiarek (Krista), Monica Macon (James Johnson), Daniel Macon and Tierney Coons; 7 grandchildren; 12 step grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; her brother Dean (Margaret) Applegarth and her sister Linda (Larry) Cleveland; plus extended family and friends.

Those who proceeded her in death were her two precious children Billy and Rosalie; her youngest sister Lori Applegarth and oldest sister Nancy; parents, Joe and Maxine; son-in-law Dan Macon.

Kay lived a life of adventure, tenacity, determination and compassion. She was such a blessing to those who were in crisis dropping everything to be there to help and care for them. She spent a lot of her life chasing treasure but in the end, she found it in her children, dogs and friends. She was also a character and much fun to be around. You never knew what she was up to or going to do next to keep us all on our toes.  

Visitation will be for family and friends Friday, February 26, 2021, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home in Etowah. Doves will be released in the parking lot immediately following service. Services will be live streamed at 

https://www.facebook.com/serenityetowah

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html