COLUMBUS
Kimberly Sue Easton served as light and love everywhere she went. She was born on March 13, 1965 to Julius and Carolyn Easton in Columbus, Indiana. The oldest of three beautiful girls, Kim graduated from Columbus North High School in 1983. She went on to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, graduating in 1987 with a degree in Journalism. As a young woman in High School and College, Kim loved to sing and loved being involved in various church activities and social groups. She even studied at Word of Life Bible College.
She began her broadcasting career as an intern under Bernard Shaw at CNN in Washington, D.C. Kim got her first broadcasting job in radio, working at the NPR affiliate in Lynchburg. It did not take long before she took her love of broadcasting to the next level by working at ABC affiliate WSET-TV. From there she went on to work at WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, Fox 40 in Sacramento, WLKY-TV in Louisville, and WBBM CBS Newsradio in Chicago. Everywhere she went, she established an instant connection with viewers, co-workers, and the communities she served.
Along the way she mentored countless Black journalists across the nation and served as a faithful member of the National Association of Black Journalists. Kim’s motto was “Make it Happen!” At every stage of her life, with every new challenge or tribulation, she was always determined to make whatever goal she had happen. She blazed trails for Blacks and women in broadcasting. Whenever she encountered racism or sexism in the workplace, she stood up for what she knew to be right. Her passion, fight, and determination was based upon her belief that with God, nothing is impossible. Her faith in Christ stayed with her even until she took her last breath because it was her foundation.
In May of 2013, Kim graduated with a master’s degree in Communications &the Arts from Regent University, a Christian institution in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She went back to school, determined to “Make it happen.” Even while pursuing her studies as a master’s student, Kim served as a full-time caregiver to her father until his passing. She returned to Columbus, to give her father the opportunity to be close to family and friends during his final days.
During her extensive and storied career, Kim earned multiple awards, including from the National Association of Professional Women, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, and the Michigan Associated Press Awards, just to name a few. She interviewed countless celebrities and government officials including, Hank Aaron, Maya Angelou, Eartha Kit, Jesse Jackson, Oliver North, and former Governor Douglas Wilder.
Nothing in this world compared to the love she had for Jesus and her beautiful daughter Lake and her three grandchildren. Kim fondly called her daughter, “Baby Lake” (even as an adult) and always spoke of her and her three young grandchildren. Lake was forever her baby and her heart. Kim’s grandchildren expanded her love and she was always caring and attentive to their needs and helping to raise them. She was beyond excited at the recent birth of her only granddaughter Viviana.
It’s rare for the world to be given a gift such as the life of Kimberly Easton. Her sudden and unexpected passing leaves a void in the lives of so many that will never be replaced. Her energetic, positive, and bubbly personality touched everyone she came into contact with. She loved to cook and care for people. She was always there whenever anyone needed her.
Kim leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Lake Warner (n?e Whitehead); her grandchildren, Andre “Vance,” Vincent, and Vivianna; her surviving sister Kelly Easton; nephews Andrew and Keagan; a goddaughter Kyla Mitchell; an adopted godson Jamie Jackson and his wife Grace and daughter Lily Grace; and a host of cousins and family members.
Kim was preceded in death by her youngest sister Monica, her father Julius, her mother Carolyn, and an unborn son (her first child).
The funeral service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Jerry K. Day, Sr. officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at barkesweaverglick.com.
Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with Kim’s family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
