Kimesia (Ki) Christenbury Chiles was born July 30, 1939, in Boone, N.C., and was always a star in the eye of her parents, Edward Samuel & Frances Elizabeth Timme Christenbury.
Ki grew up in the Sequoia Hills area of Knoxville, Tennessee, where she graduated from West Hills High School. Following high school, she attended The University of Tennessee – Knoxville where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics & Child Development. While at UT, she was active in many clubs, and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority (following her Mom and sister’s legacies). During the summers, she was a Girl Scout Counselor for the State of Tennessee in Hardy, Arkansas. Her senior year, Ki met the love of her life, Walter Bruce Chiles. They married shortly thereafter and built a beautiful life together raising their two children, Kim and West.
As a young couple, they lived in Atlanta while Bruce was pursuing his MBA at Emory. Ki helped establish The Child Development Program at The Atlanta Area Vocational School and was one of the original teachers for this program. She loved this job and her students. In 1971, Ki and Bruce, along with Bruce’s parents, purchased Coffman Oil, which became Chiles Oil, and moved their family back to Bruce’s hometown in Pulaski, Tennessee.
Ki was an avid bridge player (member of Cheekwood Bridge), loyal Atlanta Braves and UT Lady Vols Basketball fan, voracious reader, loved her daily crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and was an adventuresome traveler with lots of stories to share. She was devoted to her family, friends, and the First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, where she served on various committees. Ki was always interested in everyone and was a true example of grace, love, and kindness to others.
Ki is survived by her loving husband of 63 glorious years, Walter Bruce Chiles of Pulaski; daughter, Kimesia Chiles Isbell and her husband Terry of Natchitoches, LA; son, Preston West Chiles and his wife, Teresa of Pulaski; sister, Frances Pomeroy of Brenham, TX; brother, Edward Christenbury and his wife Sue of Fort Meyers, FL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John & Sue Chiles of Columbia; and step- grandchild, Josh Isbell and wife Alicia. Several nieces and nephews and many friends also survive. Special thank you to her caregivers at NHC – Pulaski.
We are incredibly thankful for the wonderful love and influence Ki had on our lives. She will be missed daily.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 West Jefferson Street, Pulaski, TN 38478, or the Giles County Public Library, 122 S 2nd Street, Pulaski, TN 38478.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August23rd from 1:30-3:00 at First United Methodist Church Pulaski. Services immediately following at 3:00. Interment at Maplewood Cemetery.
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements for Kimesia (Ki) Christenbury Chiles.
