Karen Kay Umbarger

In loving memory of the amazing Karen "Kay" Tolton, born on May 7, 1947, to Russell and Ruth Tolton, she was the spirited middle child between older brother Gary Dale Tolton and younger sister Jo Lynn Tolton Blevins. Growing up in Home Gardens on the outskirts of Corona, CA, Kay attended Home Gardens Elementary, Corona Jr. High, and graduated from Corona Senior High in 1965. She had a few not mentionable cars but then she got her iconic Red Corvair, which she thought made her look hot. She loved the color Red. She looked up to and was inspired by her mother, Ruth Tolton Gross, who gave so much to everyone and had a great sense of humor.

Kay explored many jobs, from mowing lawns to working at Matthews Variety Store, delivering newspapers, Babysitting, Gaines Department Store, Chuck Wagon Restaurant, Cleaning houses and eventually finding her long-term career at Amtrak. She even tried her hand at hairdressing on family, with some interesting results on her sister Jo Lynn and later on niece Nicole’s hair!

In July 1968, Kay met Claude and, after a whirlwind week in Indiana, they got engaged. She stayed an extra week then back to California. They tied the knot on January 18, 1969, beginning a beautiful journey together. They just celebrated 55 years together. Their son, Claude "Allen" Umbarger Jr., known as “Allen” arrived in July 1970, and Kay embraced the role of a stay-at-home mom, while actively involved in her son's life and juggling family and friend events.

In 1992, Kay joined the Amtrak Call Center in Corona, showcasing her dedication and talent. She became an award-winning reservation sales agent, training assistant, supervisor, and eventually the head of the training department until her retirement in 2012. Her warmth, fairness, coaching skills, and infectious laughter made her a beloved figure at Amtrak and among her cherished friend groups.

Kay and Jo Lynn's cookie business, complemented by Cindy's cake expertise, soared to remarkable success, becoming a go-to for delicious treats. Balancing family and friend fun with a steady stream of orders for various occasions became their new norm, showcasing their ability to juggle passion with business. Their dedication to delivering mouthwatering delights coupled with their knack for creating unforgettable experiences made them an in demand business. With every batch of cookies and cake, they spread joy and sweetness, leaving a lasting impression on every person they served.

Always on the go, Kay cherished her friendships, notably 'The Posse' – Sandi, Dee, Yoli, and husbands Joe, Mondo, Bob, and Claude. They made many fun trips together. Golfing, Bunco nights, a yearly family beach week and annual trips on the Polar Express with family were among her favorite pastimes. She was a grandma figure for many years to Casey, Christopher, Corey and Michael. Then becoming a "grandma" in 2012 brought immense joy, with the birth of Aubriella. Kay and Claude have loved to watch her perform in her many plays and shows.

Kay's love for family and friends was evident in the numerous family celebrations for birthdays, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve. The family Sunday dinners she cherished. Kay will be desperately missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.