Grace Kile

After a full and wonderful life, Grace S. Kile, born June 2, 1922, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2018, just short of her 96th birthday. "Amazing Grace," as we came to call her, was truly a member of the Greatest Generation.

The second youngest of five children born to Mary and Henry Spengler, Grace began a life-long adventure in 1943, traveling from upstate New York to join her sister in East Tennessee. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Grace had recently graduated from the Eastman School of Dental Hygiene and had procured her first job before her sister, Gladys, called and changed her plans. Gladys, an employee of the Manhattan Company, contacted Grace and advised her that all manner of medical personnel were needed in a secret city near Knoxville, TN; she couldn't give her a phone number or address - this, of course, was for the Manhattan Project. The tiny, blue-eyed blond soon traveled to Knoxville, waiting overnight at the bus station until she was picked up by her sister the following day.

In 1945, Grace met a young veterinarian from Ohio on a blind date and they married within a year. The following year, Patrice, the first of seven children was born. Somehow Grace always managed to balance the needs of her growing family with a busy social life. She and Jim loved to dance. She loved to garden, decorate the home that she and Jim built together, stay up on the latest fashions, and collect antiques. Grace was very active in civic matters; she was a troop leader for Camp Fire Girls and Girl Scouts, a founding member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and an active member and past President of the Timely Topics Club in Clinton. In addition, she was also active in both the Rotary and the American Veterinary Medical Association auxiliary groups.

The adventures of Grace and Jim started during World War II and continued throughout their long lives. They were blessed with a wonderful family and some of the very best friends that life has to offer. Though Grace had to say goodbye to so many of her friends during her life, they lived on in the many happy memories and stories that were often talked about and told by her. Grace's family and friends, along with her deep Catholic faith, sustained her. She loved God, her family, and Notre Dame football, and it showed. She will be sorely missed and heartily remembered.

Mrs. Kile was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James C. Kile, Jr.; sister, Sr. Gladys Spengler; brother, Bud Spengler; brother, Jack Spengler; sister, Jean Milligan; and son-in-law Adair Hotchkiss. She is survived by - daughter, Patrice Kile of Rockwood, TN; daughter, Debbie Hotchkiss of Oak Ridge, TN; son, Dorn Kile (Laura) of Clinton, TN; daughter, Kathleen Cullen (Jim) of Cypress, TX; son, Dr. James C. Kile, III (Tram) of Decatur, GA; son, Kevin Kile of Marietta, GA; daughter, Carolyn Thomas (David) of Peachtree City, GA; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

We would like to thank all the caregivers at Arbor Terrace Peachtree City and Southern Grace Hospice for the loving care they provided over the past few years and months.

The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 17th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oak Ridge, TN, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM and burial at the Anderson Memorial Gardens in Clinton.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers you may choose to make a contribution to the St. Mary's Catholic School of Oak Ridge, TN ( www.school.stmarysoakridge.org ) or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, ( www.stjude.org )