Kim Renee Guthrie passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023 and as she went over the rainbow and entered the gates of heaven her Lord Jesus and her brother Todd were waiting for her.
Kim was a gift to all she encountered with her big smile and her loving and giving heart. At an early age she gave her life to the Lord and was a member of East Hickory Baptist Church.
Kim’s life’s work was devoted to the Burke County School System where she served as a teacher’s assistant working one on one with special needs children until her retirement in 2021. “Miss Kim,” as she was known by her students and the children she kept at the day care, loved her and she loved them as her very own.
Kim was born on November 25, 1963 in Catawba County to Margaret Mull and Milton Guthrie. She is survived by her sister Frances Hildebran, Nephew Curtis (Lisa) and their son Luke and a chosen brother Jim Sain (Cynthia) as well as her dog Bryson, and cats Sunny, Bootsie and Missy. Also surviving are two half-sisters and a brother.
The family would like to thank her dear friends who helped take care of her during her final days and have loved and supported her through the years. They would also like to thank the medical providers at the Valdese Cancer Center and Hospice (Amorem) for all the care and support they gave her and her family.
The family is honoring “Miss Kim’s” wishes and will have a private family memorial at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Valdese Cancer Center, Amorem or Burke County Friends for Animals.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.
An online obituary and guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.
I had the privilege of working and knowing Miss Kim for many years. She was truely a blessing to the children she served and worked with! Her passing is a great loss and she will be missed! While she was a very private person, I felt privileged to be her friend and colleague. I know her dog, Bryson and cats are going to miss her tremendously, and they were like her family. She always enjoyed it when I cooked and brought food to school or vegtables to share from my garden, especially asparagus. I am sorry for your loss and my condolences and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Thank you for your kind words about Kim. I remember her sharing with me about you and how kind you were to her. We appreciate your prayers. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
Kim was a blessing to my Mom and Dad. She lived across the street from them and was always looking in on them. I did not know how sick she was, but knew in the past months that she was not feeling well. She will be missed by many. My prayers are with her family and close friends as they morn her loss.
Thank you Vickie. She loved your mom and dad. We appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers. She was our angel and will be missed beyond words.
I’m so sorry to hear of Kim’s passing. We worked together at Draughn, she was always a loving and positive coworker and friend. God Bless those she leaves behind.
Thank you Kristy . She thought a lot of you and you were always so kind to her. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We will miss her terribly but she is pain free and in a better place.
I had the privilege of working with Kim at Freedom and again at Draughn. She was such a special person and I truly treasured my friendship with her. We had a previous student who shared a special place in both our hearts and she helped me with her many times. She was absolutely wonderful with her students and they adored her. I will miss talking with her, the big hugs she would always give, and I can still hear her saying “yep, yep, yep!” However, I am grateful she is no longer in pain. Prayers to your family during this time.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yep, yep, yep, she was a special person and I remember her talking about you. Thank you for your prayers and letting me know about the time you worked together. God bless you.
Miss Kim served as a student’s PCA in my kindergarten class many years ago at Glen Alpine Elementary . She brought light and laughter to our days and I will always remember our time together. I’m am so sorry to hear of her passing. She touched so many student’s and teacher’s lives.
Meredith Searcy
Thank you for sharing with us about your time with Kim. She loved those children and enjoyed her time working with you. We appreciate your kind words and prayers.
Kim worked at North Liberty School and then at Table Rock Middle School while I served as the principal. She had the biggest heart for all creatures great and small. Thank you, Miss Kim, for being such a selfless person .
Thank you for your kind words about Kim. She had a big heart for all Gods creatures and enjoyed working for you. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.
We were a neighbor to Kim for 16 years and she was a wonderful person to know. She got our news papers for us while we were on vacation. She always put them inside our storm door before we got home. I finally just started calling the News Herald to put a hold on them and deliver on a specified date because I felt like we were putting to much on her although we always gave some corn which she loved.
My husband kept the limbs trimmed (when necessary on the ends of the trees on her side.
She was always so friendly to us and I know we will miss her tremendously. It saddens my heart to know that she was sick and didn’t let us know because we would of been glad to have done anything for her.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes Miss Kim loved all of God’s creatures especially those most vulnerable. She did have a big heart and enjoyed working for you.. We appreciate your condolences.
I worked with Miss Kim at Freedom High School. She was always such a sweet person that would do anything for you,! She will truly be missed,
Beautiful genuine Christian lady, Miss Kim!
The welcome home celebration in Heaven for you, was quiet a party, I am sure. I was blessed to know you on this earth and look forward to seeing you again in Heaven!
Always smiling and caring for others, what a wonderful witness.