Kimberly Montgomery-Saunders

Kimberly Joann Montgomery, affectionately known as Kim, age 53 years old of McArthur, Ohio passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, in Hillsboro, Ohio surrounded by her family.

Born on May 13, 1972, in Chillicothe, Ohio to Harold Montgomery and the late Molly Shepherd Vanover. Kim was a cherished daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to all who knew her. She was a 1990 graduate of Western High School, Latham, Ohio and a 1994 graduate of the Chillicothe School of Cosmetology. Kim worked for many years in the Chillicothe area as a Cosmetologist. Kim's biggest attribute was her love of people. She had a charming personality, infectious smile and sense of humor which made her clients return. Kim attended Life Source Church in Wellston, Ohio.

Kim was a vibrant spirit with a passion for all types of music. She loved rock-n-roll, traditional country and even had a flair for a few rap artists, but Kid Rock was hands down her favorite artist. Kim loved the great outdoors; she loved to travel with her favorite destination involving the Ocean. The Summer of 2023 was one of her more memorable vacations when she and her fiancé Matt took granddaughter Aubrie to Disney World in Orlando, Florida and then to the Ocean. In Kim's final days recalling her memories of that vacation allowed her to cope with the many uncomfortable procedures she had to endure in her battle with cancer. Kim will be remembered for being a phenomenal cook, her love of animals especially dogs, her sense of humor with a little dash of sarcasm and her dedication to her family. In recent years her favorite moments always included her granddaughter Aubrie.

Kim was beautiful in every way! She was the light in every room she entered, everyone wanted to be close to her because she made you feel special. Kim always knew what to say to bring you up when you were down. She could always make you laugh.

Kim's life changed forever on December 24, 2024, when she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She fought hard to live. She was a warrior and completed 12 months of chemotherapy and through all the sickness and losing her hair she never complained. She would say, "who needs hair, it's overrated." Many of her friends didn't know about her struggles because she didn't want to be treated differently, for others to be sad or quit talking to her because they didn't know what to say. She told her sister recently that it was hard to die because she had built a beautiful life. Cancer was what took her life, but she didn't let cancer define her. She wanted remembered for how she lived not how she died.

Kim is survived by her devoted fiancé Matt Walls of McArthur, son TJ Gillingham of McArthur, daughter Tawnie Gillingham of Wellston and granddaughter Aubrielle Bailey of Wellston, her father Harold Montgomery of Cynthiana, brother Harold Montgomery Jr of Cynthiana, sister Patty (Herb) Day of Hillsboro, sister-in-law, Patricia Montgomery of Peebles, along with several uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by granddaughter Paisley Gillingham, her mother Molly Shepherd Vanover who preceded her in death exactly 30 days to the day, her brother Michael Montgomery and her beloved dog Hercules.

A life celebration will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 4 PM with Kim's brother-in-law, Herb Day officiating. Calling hours will be from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Thompson Funeral Home in Hillsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the "National Association of Down Syndrome" to honor her memory.
To sign Kim's online guest book, visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com., or to leave a like, share or comment, visit the Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Care Facebook Page.