Sallie Kiest of San Angelo passed away Sept 15, 2021 at the age of 80. She was born on August 23, 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa to the parents of Henry Utley and Phyllis Frostle. After graduation from Dixon High School she attended the State University of Iowa. She joined the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and unbelievably maintained a close relationship with about twelve girls. They had a reunion every year for many years until age and health prevented annual gatherings.
While on Christmas break during Sallie’s junior year she met her future husband Lanny Kiest who was home on leave from the Army.
On July 6, 1963 they were married in Dixon, Illinois and moved to New York where she embarked on her career as a social worker on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. After a year they decided to move back to the Midwest when Lanny landed a job at a local TV station in Saginaw, Michigan. It was in Saginaw where they started their family. Being mom to Tracey, Meredith and Kelly was one of Sallie’s greatest joys.
While juggling three children under five, Sallie also secured one of her favorite jobs working for an adoption agency.
After fourteen years, the Kiest family moved to Houston, Texas. There, she worked as an assistant tennis pro at an indoor tennis complex.
Additionally, she partnered with friend, Sue Trice and opened a consignment store called “The Spare Room,” ten years before consignment shops became popular. They were very successful and had a ball. Another positive of being in Houston was that the family was close to her husband’s brother living in San Antonio. Texas wise, that’s pretty close and holidays were spent with family in Houston or San Antonio.
Another move took them to Little Rock where she returned to social work. After a few years, she and Lanny had a chance to get back to Texas, Midland briefly. Then fortunately, they landed in San Angelo which has been home since 1991.
Shortly after arriving in San Angelo, Sallie helped develop CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and served as the organization’s first Program Director. At a point, she moved to Baptist Retirement Community as a social worker until she retired. Prior to retirement she and another friend rented a booth in Concho Confetti Antique Mall and brought a little Houston history to San Angelo calling her space “The Spare Room.” It should be noted that Sallie was one of the first two women that were invited to join the Downtown Lions Club.
She was a member of the First United Methodist church and of the Cheers Sunday School class. She was a door stepper and instrumental in establishing the 11th hour, a contemporary service along with the staff.
In all the moves the family made, Sallie was always supportive and positive. She looked at every move as a new adventure.
Sallie was a happy person, always had a smile on her face, loved people and they loved her back. She was such a positive person! Through her work over the years, she impacted many lives for the better.
The family greatly appreciates the loving care Sallie received from the associates, nurses, and all personnel at The Crest West and Sagecrest. Thank you!!!
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Sallie’s honor to Baptist Retirement Community, The Crest West or Sagecrest.
Sallie’s worship service and celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church located at 37 E. Beauregard Ave. in San Angelo, TX on Saturday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Service
Saturday, October 02, 2021
11:00AM
First United Methodist Church
37 E. Beauregard Ave.
San Angelo, TX 76903
Post a comment to this article here: