Kim Lesli Watkins Herbst

Kim Lesli Watkins Herbst (Kimi) went home to be with her Lord on January 31, 2013, after a valiant fight with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

She was born in Akron, Ohio, to John W. and Audrey J. (Moon) Watkins on January 22, 1955, and baptized during a blizzard that night. Kim has been a life-long resident of Akron. She knew in second grade that she wanted to be a nurse and pursued that career, graduating with a BSN from the University of Akron in 1979, and was blessed to serve for 19 years as an orthopedic RN at Barberton Citizens Hospital.

Another dream of hers was to travel to Israel, which she did with other United Methodist members in 1982, including celebrating worship services at the church of the Upper Room and the Garden Tomb. During that trip, the wife of the group leader, Lois Herbst, asked Kim in a Jerusalem hotel if she wanted to meet Lois’s single son, Roger. Kim and Roger subsequently dated, established a deep, lasting friendship filled with respect, trust and love for the Lord, and were married in 1994. She was an active member of Goodyear Heights United Methodist, Greensburg United Methodist, and New Hope Bible Church. Other special places they worshipped were the National Cathedral, Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, and the original Jamestown settlement church.

Kim loves sunshine, rainbows, church bells, live theatre (especially Porthouse Theatre), and the beach, enjoying many long walks on the beach during their annual trips to the Outer Banks. Locally, Kim and Roger loved to hike all of the Summit Metro Parks, particularly Firestone Metro, where they logged countless hours and miles together. Other favorite destinations included Washington, D.C., Walt Disney World, and the San Francisco area, especially Muir Woods and the Big Sur.

Kim was preceded in death by her father, John W. Watkins, and precious baby Herbst. She is survived by her loving husband of 18 years, Roger A. Herbst; her mother, Audrey J. Watkins of Akron; her brother, Roger (Marsha) Watkins of Akron, niece, Trisha Watkins of Lexington, Ky., and nephew, Clayton Watkins of Akron; her brother, Brett (Christine) Watkins, nephew, Nathan Watkins, and niece, Madelyn Watkins, all of Winchester, Va.; Joyce who has become my loving big sister; and many cousins and loving friends.

“God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around her and whispered, ‘Come with me’”.

Family and friends may call Sunday, February 3, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 3553 Northdale Street NW, UNIONTOWN, Ohio 44685 (one block NW of the square of 619 & Cleveland Avenue). Services will be held at noon on Monday, February 4, 2013, at Greensburg United Methodist Church 2161 Greensburg Road, North Canton, Ohio 44720, with Pastor Abby Auman officiating. Friends may also call one hour in advance of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WCRF, Moody Radio Cleveland, 9756 Barr Road, Cleveland, OH 44141.