Brenda Carol Kilgore (Smith)

Brenda Carol Kilgore (Smith), age 73, of Kingsport, TN, passed peacefully at home on September 10, 2024. She was surrounded by love as she was welcomed to her Heavenly home. 

Brenda was an alumnus of East Tennessee State University and a proud Sigma Kappa. She dedicated 35 years of her life to teaching at John F. Kennedy Elementary School and poured her knowledge and passion into thousands of children over the years. 

In addition to her grandparents, several aunts and uncles and very special cousins, Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Phyllis Smith.

She is survived by her children, Emily Thompson (Ethan) and Matthew Kilgore; grandsons, Owen, Oliver and Grady Thompson; sister, Sandra Colombo (Claude); brother, Gary Smith (Jayne); nieces and nephews, including Beverly Smith, Morgan Smith, Katianne Taylor (Robert), Casey Irwin (Blake), and Charlie Colombo (Hallie); great-nieces and nephews, K.B. Miriam, Remington, Reese and Andi. 

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon, VA, with her niece, Casey Ann Irwin, officiating.

Additionally, a Celebration of Life will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the same day at the Kingsport Chamber, 400 Clinchfield Street, Kingsport, TN. This will be a casual gathering where family and friends can share memories and celebrate Brenda’s life.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Smokey Mountain Home Health & Hospice for their compassion and assistance.

Additionally, there are no words to express enough thanks for the passionate care and love that Brenda received over the last few years from caregivers in her home. They allowed her to leave this world exactly as she desired in the comfort of her home. We thank all those that were a part of her care during this journey, especially Kelly Warren (mom's honorary grandson, Stryker) and Jamie Murphy who will forever hold the titles of daughters for "Miss Brenda".

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Girls Incorporated of Kingsport (P.O. Box 981, Kingsport, TN 37662). Scholarships will be provided in Brenda's memory for students from John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

Thank you to Carter-Trent Funeral Home of Kingsport, TN for assisting the family with arrangements.