Proof that love conquers all
Kim, also known as “Da Queen,” was a larger-than-life force of positivity, love, and artistry. Ever the charismatic soul, her influence and impact endure in her absence. So many people owe their successes, and recovery tools to Kim’s selflessness, and her adopted daughter Kezia, her claimed children Drew, Tyree, and Jeremiah all have brighter futures because of her love. Her brothers Mike and TJ, and sisters Shelly and Amy, speak of her fun, free spirit, her desire to help others, and her bold personality.
Perhaps born in the wrong decade, Kim was a flower child with the heart of an artist. She loved painting, festivals, dancing, loud music, and laughter. She enjoyed making memories, commemorating them all with tons of photos. She adored nature, suns and moons, music, and her spirituality. She was “extra” in the best way, selfless, charismatic, and unafraid. Whether riding a horse on the beach, sharing her beautiful soul with you, or talking someone’s ear off, she brought energy and color to the world simply by being in it.
Kim was a longtime member of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) before her relapse, and she continually went over and above to help those in need. For example, she lived with a family so a mother could enter rehabilitation. That mother is now twenty-five years substance-free, became a therapist and has adopted a son and fostered several other children. Kim encouraged many to attend their first NA meetings, even driving them there if needed. One such person now owns multiple businesses and opened a healthy living home during her recovery journey. Kim kept a close eye on another struggling with substance misuse. That woman credits Kim for her restored life, being able to continue custody of her son, and keeping her from further incarceration. One of Kim’s nieces says her aunt was a critical influence on her, and as an adult now, she has legally adopted a child and fostered three others. These are just a few examples of how Kim spread beauty and positivity to those she touched, but there are countless more.
Born into circumstance rife with substance misuse, Kim had challenging relationships with family and was forced to adjust to countless changes in her younger years when she was left to be raised by her sister Shelly at the young age of 10. Substance misuse in her own life caused Kim to pull away and distance herself from family, the disease taking over her life and her actions. Her sister Michelle recounts Kim’s last years. “Watching her decline was heartbreaking and utterly devastating, her and our brother had introduced me to recovery and helped save my life.” Now, Michelle continues the work of destigmatizing substance use disorder by advocating, attending rallies, creating and attending local recovery days in her county, and guiding the struggling to recovery as her sister once did. In her words, “If we save just one life, it’s all been worthwhile. Everyone is loved by someone [and] they’re important to someone.” Kim certainly was, and her memory endures in the form of outreach to the community she so positively influenced in life.
Kim’s sister, Michelle Harris, provided the information for this narrative.
June 30, 1977-November 8, 2022-Age 45
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Jill Denton
