Kimberly Gayle Carroll Raby's Obituary
Kimberly Gayle Carroll Raby completed her earthly journey on March 30, 2024. Kim leaves behind a lifetime of good memories and dozens of loved ones to cherish and keep her memory alive.
Born August 8, 1960, to Gayle Blake and Marjorie Ann Carroll in Hughes Springs, Texas. She was the second born of their four children. The Carroll family became residents of Kilgore, Texas in 1971 and were active members of Eastview Baptist Church. Kim was involved in the youth group at Eastview and subsequently met the love of her life, John Paul Raby. She graduated from Kilgore High School in 1978. During High School, she was involved in choir and FHA. Kim was a lovely singer and enjoyed singing at school as well as in church. After high school she worked for Davis/Kemp Oil company until she secured a position with Region 7 Education Service Center. On December 30, 1994, Kim and John Paul were married in an intimate ceremony officiated by her younger brother, Bruce. They moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where she worked for Kellogg’s from 1994-1997. She gave birth to her son, John Anderson Raby on October 15, 1996 and shortly after their family moved back home to Kilgore. She went back to work for Region 7 until her retirement in 2016. During the past few years of her life, she was employed by the Texas A&M Agriculture Annex.
Kimberly could light up any room she was in with her infectious smile and boisterous laughter. She was beloved by all who knew her. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She had a special talent for decorating and making her home as warm & inviting as possible. Her personality was one of wit and charm. She loved her family immensely and adored her son, Andy, more than anything. Growing up, she spent a lot of time with her family at their lake house on Lake Palestine. She loved everything in nature and spent many hours with her husband maintaining their landscaping around their home. She cherished all holidays and never failed to make them as special as could be with her ornately decorated home and heartfelt meals. She poured so much effort into making these gatherings as memorable as possible.
Kim was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie Ann Carroll, her beloved husband John Paul Raby, and her eldest brother Anthony Blake Carroll. Her family can be comforted by the fact that her broken heart is now whole again with the reunion of Kim with those she loved and missed dearly.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, the light of her life, John Anderson “Andy” Raby; her younger brother Bruce Carroll (Babby); Her baby sister Amy Cassady (Wayne); her father, Gayle (GB) Carroll; her in-laws Glen and Louise Raby, brother-in-law Charles Raby (Sandra); sister-in-law Glenda Raby Moyer (Mike). Kim is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many dear friends with whom she considered as family.
A Memorial to Celebrate Kimberly’s life will be held on May 11th at 10:30 am in the morning at Eastview Baptist Church in Kilgore.
What’s your fondest memory of Kimberly?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kimberly?
Share a story where Kimberly's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kimberly you’ll never forget.
How did Kimberly make you smile?