Katherine (Kitty) Frances Coleman Trimble, 96, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, gracefully passed away with family by her side Sunday, March 14, 2021 in the Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital (formerly Stonewall Jackson Hospital).
Kitty was the daughter of the late John Mahlon Coleman and Katherine Isabelle DeShazo.
A member of the Lambda Sigma Pi Sorority, she worked her way through Radford College in the office of the Dean of Students. While there, she met Charlie Trimble, who was attending summer school classes as a World War II veteran. On their second date, Kitty found herself laughing uncontrollably after Charlie turned to her and said, "I told my grandmother last night that I was going to marry you." Six months later, on December 21, 1946, they were married.
In the spring of 1947, she was crowned May Queen of Radford College where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. During her long teaching career, she earned her Master's in Business Education from James Madison College. She taught in the Rockbridge County school system until her retirement in 1989.
An avid American patriot, Kitty worked for the American Red Cross during World War II, and was a member of the VFW Post 1499 Women's Auxiliary. She spent countless hours researching and compiling the Trimble and Coleman family lineages. As a result, she became an active member of the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Kitty enjoyed an active social life, playing bridge with her friends, participating in the monthly "Birthday Ladies" luncheons, going on summer outings with her sorority sisters, and camping with her family. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Buena Vista. As a loving and devoted wife and mother, she always put her family first, never wanting any of them to go far from home.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Julian and Jack Coleman, her beloved sons, Mike and C. C. Trimble, and a great-grandson, Kendrick Flowers.
She is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Charlie; her daughters Molly Moore (Jeff), Susie Trimble (Scott Rochelle), Jan Lee Krilevich (Dave); grandchildren, Katherine Tryon, Rogan Flowers, Ezra Kille, Emily Falls, Charles Trimble III, Evan Kille, Ben Trimble and Rebecca Flowers; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery (formerly Stonewall Jackson Cemetery) on Wednesday, March 17 at 2 p.m. The service will be officiated by Chaplain Andrew Wolfe, with special music by Stacy Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ Episcopal Church, 2246 Walnut Ave., Buena Vista, VA 24416 or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home and Crematory.
