Kay Webber
Kay Webber was the second wife of former Sen. Thad Cochran, who died Thursday morning. He was 81-years-old.
Kay’s husband was born William Thad Cochran on December 7, 1937; he represented Mississippi in the US Senate for decades.
He received a B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi, where he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and was on the cheerleading squad.
Thad was serving in his seventh term in the US Senate and was first elected to Congress in 1972 before being elected to the Senate in 1978. He resigned his seat last April due to his health issues.
He is survived by his second wife, Kay Webber and two adult children. Meet her below.
#1 She is his second wife
Thad was first married to Rose Clayton who preceded him in death in 2014. Thad was left a widow after Rose, his wife of 50-years died at the age of 73. She had been in a nursing home for a decade suffering from dementia.
#2 Her husband is survived by two adult children
During his marriage to Rose, the couple welcomed two children, Kate and Clayton Cochran.
Katherine Cochran is an Associate Professor of English, Southern Quarterly Editor at the University of Southern Mississippi. She also serves as one of the three consulting scholars for the Mississippi Arts Commission’s development of the Mississippi Writers Trail.
Clayton Cochran is a nonprofit fundraiser who lives in Madison.
#3 Kay Webber was accused of having an affair with Cochran
The two were accused of having an affair in 2014. An accusation Cochran denied. Political blogger Clayton Kelly took pictures of a bedridden Rose Cochran in April 2014 which he intended to use to advance allegations that the senator was having an inappropriate relationship with Webber. Cochran’s aides said then that there was nothing improper about the senator’s relationship with Webber.
#4 They were married in 2015
Though is not clear when the couple began dating, they were married in 2015. At the time of their nuptials they were both age 77. Kay Webber and Cochran wedded in a private family ceremony in Gulfport, Miss.
#5 Kay Webber worked to Cochran for many years
She has been described as executive assistant, social event organizer and receptionist, among other titles, throughout her years working on the longtime senator’s staff. She began working for him in 1981.
Some of her other titles include Executive Assistant, Special Services Director, Receptionist and Aide.
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