Kathy Lynn Bearden

Kathy Lynn Bearden, born on May 9, 1958, entered eternal life on Thursday, August 19, 2021. Her spirit is carried on by her two brothers – Michael R. Bearden and wife Phyllis Bearden and her twin Kevin B. Bearden and wife Donna Bearden, her four nieces and nephews – Matthew Bearden, Jason Snyder and wife Jessica Snyder, Lisa McCoy and husband Tim McCoy, and Melissa Foster and husband Jake Foster, and eight great nieces and nephews – Amanda Bearden, Alexis Snyder, Charlotte Snyder, Abigail McCoy, Sydney Foster, Parker McCoy, Cooper McCoy, and Michael Foster. Kathy is reunited with her parents – Colonel Winston H. Bearden and Patsy B. Bearden, her two siblings – J. Steven Bearden and Charlotte B. Snyder, her beloved springer spaniel - Shady, and her best friend - Michael.

Kathy was the first baby born at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, approximately twenty minutes before her twin brother, Kevin. Being the “older” of the two was a source of pride and humor for Kathy. She had a passionate love for world travel and as a young adult visited Austria, England, Germany, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Russia as part of the People to People Student Ambassador program, where she not only experienced incredible sightseeing but also had homestays with three European families to get a firsthand experience of the cultures. She graduated from Fort Campbell High School in Kentucky and attended college at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, TN. Kathy was a long time employee of Lanier Worldwide, which eventually became Ricoh USA, where she received numerous letters of commendation and appreciation for her loyalty and invaluable contributions to the company. Another passion Kathy was known for was her love of baking. She very much enjoyed sharing cookies, brownies, and cakes with family, friends, and co-workers - and everyone who enjoyed the gift of her sweets and treats was always grateful. Her love for animals was immense and her appreciation for U.S. service men and women was demonstrated by her contributions to organizations that support the training of service animals for military veterans as well as the health and well-being of military personnel and veterans. Organizations close to Kathy’s heart included the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Guiding Eyes For The Blind, America’s Vet Dogs, Toys for Tots, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Troops Direct, Herobox, UNICEF, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, and the Wounded Warrior Project. To anyone that truly knew Kathy, her life was an inspiring lesson in acceptance, inclusivity, humanitarianism, and unconditional love.

As an aunt, Kathy was a second mom to all of her nieces and nephews. She never forgot a birthday or significant life event and put the family before herself always. She will be terribly missed but we take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her parents, siblings, and best friends.

Kathy has chosen not to have a formal service, however, donations may be made in her memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, care of her beloved great niece’s CFF fundraising page at http://fightcf.cff.org/goto/charlottesangels.

Edo Miller and Sons is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons.com