Kimberly Whitson Tipton
November 29, 1961 ~ February 14, 2017
Resided in:
Mills River, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Kimberly Louise Whitson Tipton, 55, of Mills River, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.
Kimberly was born in Burlington, NC, but considered herself a native of Asheville. She was a daughter of the late Jack and Billie Whitson. She was also preceded in death by her grandmother, Hettie Whitson.
Kimberly was a retired elementary school teacher, having worked half of her career for the Asheville City School System and half for the Henderson County School System. She was proud of her education, having earned a Masters Degree in Education from Western Carolina University, which made her a Catamount alumni. She will always be remembered as a wonderful and loving wife, mother, sister and friend.
Kimberly is survived by her husband of 29 years, Wayne Tipton; one son, Jacob Tipton and his wife Christa; one daughter, Kady Tipton; one brother, Dean Whitson and his wife Teresa; in-laws, Donald and Lillian Tipton; sister-in-law, Vicki Tipton and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, February 17 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following the service.
Flowers are appreciated, but for those who choose, memorial donations may be made in Kimberly's name to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (ww5.komen.org).
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Wayne,
Though we have lost touch over the years, I still consider you a close friend. I am so sorry for your loss, and am keeping you and your family in my prayers. May God bless and keep you all.
Oh my goodness.. Such heart wrenching news…
I will not be able to attend her service. I am going out of town Friday.
Your mom was a genuine jewel to so many.
I will hold you and your family in my prayers <3
God be with you all...
Kim was a dear friend and showed love and grace to everyone. We had many visits with each other and enjoyed sharing about our families, our Savior and our faith. She inspired me to be a better wife and mother.
It is a shock to lose a great friend! You brightened our days with your uplifting spirit. Heaven is brighter now with your smile. You will be missed, but looking forward to seeing you again. Love! Shall we treat each other with kindness.
Kim was my sister not my sister-in-law. I loved her more that I can ever say. What a precious friend she was. Kim loved her family and her Lord so very much. I am so glad to say I was a part of her life. Wayne, Jacob, Christa and Kady, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. We are all in a state of shock at this time. I can not believe she is gone!!! I do know to be absent from the body is to be present with our Lord and I know Kim is safe in His loving arms. We love all of you, Dean & Teresa Whitson & Karen Holcome.
Kim was my sister, I am going to miss you more than anyone will ever know. I love you and you have been a wonderful big sister. My heart is broken, and I know that Wayne, Jacob & Christa, Kady is lost without you. You always knew how to make me fill better when things were bad. Kim, what am I going to do without you. My heart is a void with you gone. I will see you again one day. I really thought I would go before you. You had a lot going on with your body and you couldn’t take anymore. I will always love you and carry you in my heart. Love your brother, Dean
My love and prayers are with you Wayne, Kady, Jacob & Christa, Dean & Teresa, and all who know and love Kimberly. She is the best example of kindness, cheerfulness, and selflessness I have ever known in a friend. I had the great privilege of working with Kimberly as her assistant teacher for four years. From there a precious friendship blossomed and continued to present day. She is forever imprinted in my heart and I so look forward to being with her again one day in the presence of the Lord Jesus! I know she is safe in His arms; no more pain, sickness or grief.
Dear Dean: We were neighbors @ Pressley Rd, many years ago; I visited Jack and Billie (it seems not long ago) I was shocked to read of their passing. I thought the world of your parents; so sorry to read about Kim.
Your sister was the same age of my daughter, Lisa, they were play-mates.
I hope that you can e/mail me later, re: Jack and Billie.
Joy Radford
Mrs Tipton taught my daughter in 2nd grade. She was an an amazing teacher and co-worker. I saw her not to long ago in Food Lion. She was a kind lady with an infectious spirit and smile. I am truly sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Mrs. Tipton was my second grade teacher I am now a senior in high school. I made visits to her during my internship everyone of which I left inspired. It truly breaks my heart to know that her beautiful presence is no longer with us. Her un forgetful smile greeted everyone of her students everyday at school. She taught me to believe in myself, and to follow my dreams. She saw her students as her own and loved every single one of them, many of which I was part of. She valued me for my uniqueness and strengths. She promoted an environment where I felt like I was able to not only share my contribution, but to also know it was actually being considered and appreciated. I will forever be grateful that I was part of her life, and for seeing her unconditional love not just as a teacher but as friend. Teaching is what I love to do and I owe it to her! She is in a better place now free of suffering. She fought as long as she could, now she is with the Lord and safe in His loving arms. I am keeping the Tipton family in my prayers. May God bless and bring peace to all.
Please accept my deepest sympathy along with my thoughts and prayers at this sad time for your family. Kim and I were second grade teachers at Claxton for several years, and I had the special opportunity to have Jacob in my class during that time. Kim touched the lives of so many, and she will be missed for her wonderful smile and kindness. May you always feel that smile and kindness as you make this journey, and know the peace it brings today and in the days to come.
Kim was my cousin her smile was always so warm the love she had for family and the love she had for her husband will be always remembered and the two blessings Jacob n Kady in her life rest in peace we all will miss you very much.
Darrin and I are so sorry to hear this sad news. When I talked to Kim a couple of weeks ago, she was so sweet and sounded so good. She told me she had peace knowing that her parents were together in Heaven. I know that she is truly at peace now with them and with her Savior. May the Holy Spirit comfort this sweet family. You are all in our prayers.
Kady and Jacob, We are so sorry to hear about your mother! But it is wonderful that you have such beautiful memories of a loving mother who has been an example of God’s love and grace.
We didn’t get to see each other often just messages on FB and Catching up at Family reunions but Whenever we talked, She would always beam when she talked about you two!
She was so proud of her children and cared for you deeply!
Martin and I pray that every day will bring comfort and peace and that our Heavenly Savior will wrap His loving arms around your whole family!
I rejoice for your ‘Momma’!
She’s getting ready for that new perfect body!
No more pain!
No more tears!
She will be waiting for you, Jacob and your Dad, Wayne, ‘just inside the gates’ of HOME!
(My husband, Martin Mathis, was Kim’s first cousin on your Grandma Billie’s side and how special to find that Kim shared names with your Grandma Billie’s Mother, Louise Stewart….
My deepest condolences to the Family. I had not seen Kim since we were young children living next door to each other. God Bless, Kim LeFevers
Wayne, We are are Heartbroken to hear about Kim! I can’t imagine what your feeling and I know how hard it is to watch someone you love slip away, but this is just a short goodbye till you meet again on the other side. Keep her memories close for they will comfort you until that great Heavenly reunion.
Sending our love and prayers to you and each of your family over the days ahead..
Prayers for all of you during this very painful loss. I was a first grade teacher with Kim at Claxton Elementary. She indeed was a very caring, dedicated teacher. She was also a very kind lady. Thinking of you all. It was quite clear just how much she loved her family.
Jacob and Kady, Words seem quite inadequate at this time.
Your mother was very kind and sincere.She carried a light of peace everywhere she went. She possessed many great qualities and a strong character that you both are gifted with as well. Her love for you two was evidenced with every word she spoke of you.
Please know I and many others are praying for you two, your dad and many family and friends now and in the days to come.
My heart is so very tender toward you all.
May The God of All Comfort be ever-present with you all.
Dear Wayne, Jacob, and Kady-I am shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of Kim. I knew her as an outstanding professional, wonderful mother, and a giving community member who loved children. I have fond memories of enjoying watching our boys grow up together playing baseball and participating in scouting activities. Our paths had not crossed in a while but she was always excited to talk of Jacob and Kady and their successes. Prayers for peace and comfort at this time.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom, Kady. I remember the times I saw the two of you together and remarking how you could see you weren’t just mother and daughter but also best friends. I am praying for you and your family.
I am so saddened for your loss and for our loss in our little neighborhood. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you during this difficult time. We are your neighbors and are here for you anytime we can be of assistance.
Dwayne, Jacob and Kady,
We were shocked to hear of your loss. We will miss seeing Kim walking hand in hand with Dwayne or side by side with Kady. I remember her pushing both of you kids in your strollers up and down the driveway. Kim was one of the neatest and most organized people and she always looked neat. I enjoyed our brief chats which were most always about family. She was so proud of you all. May you be comforted by your loving memories and by your faith in the Lord of Life.
It is difficult to express how shocked and saddened I am at hearing the news about Kim. I was fortunate to be her coworker and to call her my friend. What an amazing teacher and colleague she was! I always enjoyed our conversations, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out she was subbing at Mills River the year I taught there. She was one of those people who instantly made you smile and feel at ease. I feel honored and proud to have known her and called her friend. I will miss her sunny personality and her smile. Deepest condolences to her entire family. May God give you His peace, strength, and comfort during this extremely difficult time.
Im so sorry and saddened for your loss my friend..May God heal you and comfort you in this time.If there is ever anything I can do for you just call. In deepest sympathy Todd Bishop
I am so very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Kim at Etowah Elementary. She always had a smile on her face, was always pleasant and positive, and truly loved her students. She also loved her family dearly and spoke of them often. She will be missed! Prayers of peace and love to you all during this difficult time.
I was very saddened to hear about the loss of Kim. She was our next door neighbor and friend when we were kids. I will keep her family in my prayers.
Kim was a wonderful person. She was an asset to Claxton school where we were friends. I was so surprised to hear of her passing. My deepest sympathy to Wayne, Jacob, Kady and family. My prayers are with all of you.
Judy Dillin