Kristen Elise Luther

She was born on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1980 to the joy of her parents John F. and Nancy B. Luther. After spending her early years in Kannapolis, NC, she attended Science Hill High School in Johnson City, TN. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude from Webster University in St. Louis, MO with a degree in Electronic and Photographic Media.

Kristen’s love of education later took her to the Iowa Writers Workshop, Penland School of Crafts and a number of other prestigious institutions.

After college, Kristen worked as a photojournalist in Elizabethton, TN. There she won a Tennessee Associated Press Award for her coverage of troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Later she moved to St. Louis, MO, where she spent more than 20 years as a supporter of the city’s arts scene. In addition to working for an independent radio station, she served as a hip-hop journalist for some of the region’s most distinguished publications like Eleven Magazine, The Boston Globe, The Riverfront Times, and St. Louis Magazine.

Kristen was also an accomplished artist in her own right. She played the flute in the popular soul band, The Jungle Fire. And she was a member of the St. Louis Shape Note Singers. And for years, Kristen ran the Mount Junaluska Postal Renaissance Project, which distributed photographs in support of local post offices.

In addition to the arts scene, Kristen was deeply involved in the local food movement. She was an avid organic gardener, and through her time at Local Harvest Grocery, a supporter of regional producers.

Despite a busy schedule, she also volunteered with the city’s literacy programs. She served as an English tutor in the St. Louis school system. And she helped to develop the BookWorks Program, which taught children to create their own stories.

Kristen is survived by John and Nancy Luther, the Benfield family, the Cross family, the Luther family, the Hill Family, her beloved dog Bullet, and her St. Louis family, Nicholaus Anaclerio and Sean Semones.

Her parents wish to thank Helms Home Care nurses Karen Branigan and Gifty Walker for going above and beyond the call of duty, as well as the entire team at Atrium Healthy at Home Infusion. In addition, Nurse Practitioner Amy Cody and her assistant Lisa Crawford were tireless champions. Many thanks to Gaston Hospice Nurse Jessica Williams for her loving kindness in her final days.

Finally, the community at Southminster Presbyterian Church, led by Pastor Dan Oedy, were a true blessing to Kristen throughout this journey.

The family is holding a celebration of life at Southminster Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on Saturday October 14, 2023. The Luther Family invites you to a time of food and fellowship following the celebration of life service. We have planned a light lunch and we would encourage you to come to celebrate Kristen’s life, to share memories and to uplift and encourage one another in Christian Fellowship. Kristen wanted her service to be a true Celebration of her Life. Kristen wanted everyone one to wear colorful clothes to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Gaston County Museum, 131 W. Main Street, Dallas, NC 28034 or online www.gastoncountymuseum.org/donate or the Guatemala Ministry Program at Southminster Church, 1401 Hoffman Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.

Fond memories of Kristen and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Luther Family.