Lorene Kilday

Lorene Trent Kilday, 78, went to be with the Lord in her home February 15 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family and friends.

Lorene was born on August 3, 1947 to Roy and Betty Jo Trent. She graduated from Sullivan High School in 1964. She attended Graham Bible College and went on to receive her master’s degree in education from ETSU. She taught elementary school at Tri-Cities Christian School and also Thomas Jefferson elementary school. Lorene had a strong love for children, and she was a teacher for over 30 years. If you meet any of her former students, they will tell you that “Mrs. Kilday was my favorite teacher.” She had a brilliant mind and loved seeing her students learn.

Even greater than her love for teaching was her love for her family. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Don Kilday for 46 years. She had 2 daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. She was a significant part of each of their lives, influencing all 17 toward Christ. She also had many friends that she made a lasting impact on. She had a warmth, a wit, and a heart that was magnetic and that made everyone want to be with her. She lived a life of eternal significance and left a legacy of love. She was an active member of Tri-Cities Baptist Church.

The strength of her life was her faith. When she was five years old, she understood her need for a Savior and surrendered her life to Christ at the altar of a small country Church. She had a deep knowledge of the Word of God. She started and finished each day with time spent in her Bible. Lorene brought life and beauty to her home, her classroom, and to her yard. Her yard won the Keep Kingsport Beautiful beautification award more than once. Lorene loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She loved crossword puzzles, trivia, and word games. She was usually unbeatable.

Her family and friends will miss her dearly. She had a way of making each of her friends and family feel like her favorite- yet she somehow never showed favoritism. She loved celebrating her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved writing cards to encourage others going through trials. She shared the wisdom she had gained through her own experience with long suffering. Lorene knew personally how God cares for us and preserves our spirits as we walk through hardship. She loved the truth found in Job:12-“You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit.”

Lorene is survived by her daughters, Stacie Kilday Torbett (Hanes), Jonesboro; Stephanie Kilday Blackiston (Tim) Knoxville; her brother Roy Jr Trent (Jane) Kingsport, her 12 grandchildren, Taylor Torbett (Kaylee) Charlotte, Hannah Richardson (Alec), Nashville, Allie Wallwork (Shawn), Nashville, Jack Torbett, Asheville, Reece Blackiston, Knoxville, Evan Blackiston, Nashville, Lake Blackiston, Birmingham, Hope Blackiston, Knoxville, Crew Blackiston, Knoxville, Rhett Blackiston, Knoxville, Worth Blackiston, Knoxville, Belle Blackiston, Knoxville. 3 great grandchildren, Wesley Richardson, Ayla Torbett, Kaysen Torbett. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and caregivers, and friends who loved and cared for Lorene so well over the last few years.

The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Thursday, February 19, at Tri-Cities Baptist Church, with the funeral following with Pastor Mike Laughrun officiating. 

Graveside services will be conducted Friday, February 20, at 10am at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Torbett, Jack Torbett, Reece Blackiston, Evan Blackiston, Lake Blackiston, Crew Blackiston, Rhett Blackiston, and Worth Blackiston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Tri-Cities Baptist Church or Truth for Life Ministries (PO Box 398000, Cleveland Ohio).