Erica Frances Kever

Erica Frances Kever, 70, of Nashville, TN, passed away on the morning of Saturday, July 19, with her beloved husband, Jim, by her side. She was born on September 9, 1954, in Birmingham, AL, and spent most of her childhood and adolescence in Huntsville before leaving to attend college.

Adored and loving mother to Lindsey Magner (Catherine), Jamie Starnes (Patrick), and Adam Kever (Bridget); daughter of the late Bill and Laurice Bubke, and sister of Anna Holt, Erica is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Sadie, Caleb, and Mira Magner, Emmett, Kever, and Laurel “Lolly” Starnes, and Simon and Patrick “Patch” Kever. In addition to her immediate family, Erica is survived by many close friends with whom she enjoyed treasured relationships.

A community builder, Erica had a gift for bringing friends and family together. It was at events organized by Erica that many lifelong friendships were formed. From Thanksgiving at Center Hill Lake to her annual Christmas Eve party, her friends and family always looked forward to gatherings she hosted. Folks called Erica “the glue.” She never forgot a birthday, relished finding the perfect gift, and organized meals and visitors when community members were sick or had a new baby.

Erica attended Auburn University and received her degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Erica loved her work as a Physical Therapist, the profession that brought her to Nashville as an inpatient PT at St. Thomas Hospital in 1976, as well as her work as an adjunct professor teaching other burgeoning PTs. Erica left St. Thomas in 1986 to devote her days to raising her three children, something she did wholeheartedly, artfully, and with enthusiasm. She also spent any remaining free time in the center of charitable causes close to her heart and stressed loving service and community involvement as a value to her kids and others close to her.

Those close to her know the story of Erica meeting Jim Kever on a piano bench at a party in 1977. Jim and Erica married in 1981. Their deep love and devotion to each other for almost 50 years was inspiring. In addition to being each other’s devoted partners in marriage, it was clear to anyone that met them that they were also best friends.

Celebration of Life for Erica will be held on August 22, 2025 from 1pm - 4pm at Richland Country Club, 1 Club Drive, Nashville, TN. Additional details can be found at https://everloved.com/life-of/erica-kever/

Jim and Erica loved their children and grandchildren, who affectionately knew her as “Birdie”. When they weren’t doting over their grandchildren, they were traveling the world together. Erica died as she lived, in joyous celebration of being alive with her best friend by her side, saying “yes” to the next great adventure.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support during this time, as well as the doctors, nurses, and staff at Queen Ingrid Hospital in Nuuk, Greenland, for the amazing care and love they gave Erica.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to the Erica Frances Kever Memorial Fund to honor her generous spirit. Donations will be distributed to causes important to Erica with the intent of making a lasting impact on those communities most in need. The main goal of the EFK Memorial Fund is to provide crucial resources to the hospital in which she spent her last days.

More information can be found at https://everloved.com/life-of/erica-kever/

The family is planning a celebration of her incredible life, and will share details as they develop.