Lillian King Kimrey

Lillian Parrish Kimrey, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, shortly after celebrating her 107th birthday in March. Preceding her in death were her husband, Jonathan Claude Kimrey, and her daughter, Nelda Kimrey Owsiak. Left to cherish her memory are her son, William (Bill) Kimrey and wife Jane, her daughter, Carol Allen Jones, and her son-in-law, Robert Owsiak. Five grandchildren; Kimrey Allen Preston and husband Graeme, Molly Kimrey Reeves and husband Aaron, Kate Kimrey Dunn and husband Joey, Mary Kimrey Pitts and husband Mark, Jon Kimrey and wife Stephanie. Eleven great-grandchildren; Margaux Preston, Cameron, Hannah and Adrienne Reeves, William, Parker and Caroline Dunn, Payton and Mallory Pitts, Lilly and Addie Kimrey, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Lillian was born in Wilson, NC, in 1918, to William Henry Parrish and Rosa Rains Parrish. She attended East Carolina Teachers College (now East Carolina University), where she was elected president of the Women's Student Government Association. She graduated in 1939 with a degree in Home Economics. It was in her first years of teaching in High Point that Lillian met her husband Claude. They were both attending a young adults Sunday school class at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. They were married 67 years at the time of his death. After Claude's service in the Navy during World War II, Lillian stayed home with their young children, volunteered at the church, and helped Claude with the family's dairy farm. She remained dedicated to Wesley Memorial Methodist Church for the remainder of her life, where she was a member for over eighty years.

Lillian had a long career as a teacher in the High Point City Schools teaching Biology at High Point Central High School and Home Economics at Ferndale Middle School where she retired. She was loved and respected by her students, some of whom remained in touch with her for many decades. The value of education was something she prized and passed along to her family, some who went on to become educators as well. She also carried the wisdom she learned from her grandmothers and practiced every day of her life: the importance of setting an example, of working hard, of being kind to others, and being thankful. She appreciated simple things and saw much beauty in this world. She loved ladybugs, and hummingbirds, and pansies. She planted sunflowers, growing to tower over her, so the grandchildren could watch them turn toward the sun.

Not surprisingly, Lillian was the one you went to with all your questions, whether it was the name of a plant or tree or a state capital. She was the mother who let her children stay up all night to witness a lunar eclipse or smell a night-blooming cereus. Her curiosity kept her young. She advised everyone to 'think outside the box' and enjoyed emailing with grandchildren. Lillian was always up on current events. She never missed voting in an election, casting her final ballot in 2024 at 106 years old.

Lillian’s heart was always full of love. Her generous spirit and strong faith guided her throughout a very long life. Her boundless enthusiasm, optimism and kindness were gifts she shared with all who knew her.

The family will have a private gathering at the columbarium at Wesley Memorial

Methodist Church at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Wesley Memorial

Methodist Church at 1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point, NC 27262.