Kiyoko "Kay" Threet

Kiyoko “Kay” Minagawa Threet passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on June 7, 2024.

Kiyoko was born on October 22, 1931, in Yokohama, Japan. She was the third of 4 children born to Mr. Masakichi Minagawa and Mrs. Shio Minagawa. She met her husband, Edward O’Neal Threet while he was stationed in Yokohama with the US Army.

Edward and Kiyoko were married in a traditional Japanese wedding in Yokohama and then received their marriage license with the American Consular Service in Yokohama.

Their first child, a son, Jimmy was born in Yokohama in December of 1950.Their growing family boarded a 2-week journey by ship to America in 1952 and became Mississippi residents. Kiyoko was proud to become an American citizen. Her Japanese customs and traditions remained important to her throughout her long life and these customs were proudly passed to her children and grandchildren.

Edward and Kiyoko welcomed their daughter, Barbara Ann in March of 1953. Kiyoko was a dedicated and hard-working wife and mother. She worked for various manufacturing companies including Atapco, Globe Weis and Kosciusko Hosiery Mills in Kosciusko, MS for many years.

Kiyoko was a loving mother to her children and a wonderful, involved grandmother to her grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Her kind and loving nature was influential to the upbringing of these many children. Kiyoko loved animals and babies and was always known to have a smile on her face that brought joy to everyone she encountered.

Kiyoko proudly converted her faith to Christianity and is a member of First Baptist Church of Kosciusko.

Kiyoko was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Akira, Suziko and Mitsou Minagawa, her husband Edward O’Neal Threet and her son in law Larry King.

She is survived by her son, Jimmy (Debbie) Threet of Newnan, GA, and daughter Barbara King of Kosciusko.

Kiyoko leaves behind grandchildren, Allison Bell (Grant), Jennifer Fincannon (Leah), Natalie Ivey (Shane), Lauren Lawrence (Ryan), Jason Spears (Jennifer) and Emily Duncan.

She is also survived by 19 Great Grandchildren, Greyson, Ava and Sophie Bell; Bailey Threet; Madelyn, Murphy, Brooks and Anna Lauren Ivey; Sam, Chap and Knox Thompson and Wells and McCoy Lawrence; Kaylee, Jamie and Avery Edwards; Emma Spears, and Jayden and Adalyn Duncan.

A graveside service will be held at 10 o’clock on Saturday, June 15th, at Parkway Cemetery in Kosciusko, MS.

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org in lieu of flowers.