Kim Kelly Hamilton went to be with her Lord, at her Grenada home on January 24, 2015, after a long illness. Services will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at Welch’s Funeral Home in Starkville, MS, with interment following at Memorial Garden Park. Visitation will be at Welch’s on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Heaven has welcomed a wonderful woman, who deeply loved her family, her friends, and her Lord. Although her life was shortened by her illness, she fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.

Kim was born on July 28, 1958, to James Carter and Shirley (McCasland) Kelly in Kankakee, Illinois, the second of five daughters. She spent part of her childhood in Illinois, and then later in Starkville, MS, where she graduated from Starkville High School. Kim attended Mississippi University for Women.

Kim began working at the Social Security Administration in Starkville, MS, and later transferred to Grenada, where she worked a total of 28 years. She was a hard worker, dependable, and loved her job, and while never planning to retire early, she did so as a Technical Expert (TE).

While living and working in Jackson, MS, Kim met her husband John and they were married July 1, 1989, at the Chapel of Memories. Together they created a home in Grenada, with their two children, Brooke and Jake.

Besides her work, Kim loved to spend time with her family and friends, of which she had many. Kim spent a lot of time keeping up with her children’s and later grandchildren’s activities through the years. She never missed a game or event of her children Brooke and Jake, and grandchildren, Mackie and Monty. Kim and John together enjoyed watching sports and were dedicated Mississippi State fans.

Kim loved to travel and experience new places with friends and family. She loved to be home and indeed loved her home, but her favorite place away was the beach, where she spent as much time as she could, especially Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Kim was first and foremost about being a wife and mother. She was a voracious reader, addicted to her nook, and could recall nearly every book she had ever read. Kim was intelligent and intuitive, never forgot a detail, and had an opinion on most topics. She was tough in spirit and fight, and tender at the same time. She was loyal to a fault, and lived and loved every moment of her life. Kim was an extraordinary woman who will be tremendously missed by many who loved her.

Kim is survived by her husband, John Hamilton; daughter, Brooke Marie Smith; son, John Oliver (Jake) Hamilton, Jr.; grandchildren, McCasland and Montgomery Ferguson, who loved their “Nana”; mother, Shirley Kelly; sister, Autumn Jordon (Dean); sister, Tammy Seawright (Gaylon); sister, Shannon Morgan (Jeff); sister-in-law, Lucy Senter (David); brother-in-law, Steve Hamilton (Tonya); sister-in-law, Becky Hamilton. Kim had a host of nieces and nephews who loved their “Aunt Kim.”

Kim was predeceased by her father, James Kelly; sister, Jackie Dunavant; son-in-law, Bill Smith; father-in-law, Lt. Col. Sam Hamilton, Jr., mother-in-law, Mary Hamilton; and brother-in-law, Sam Hamilton, III.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society-Hope Lodge or a memorial of choice.