Heather M. Kingery

Heather Michelle Kingery passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 50. 

Heather was employed by the Paris Special School District serving as a teacher at Paris Elementary School. Heather was born on July 2, 1974, in Shreveport, LA.

Heather was a wonderful and devoted mother offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance to her sons. A friend to many, she was an active member of the community in Paris, TN. She was a member of Jones Chapel Baptist Church and deeply loved her church family. She was a dedicated fourth grade teacher at Paris Elementary School, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength and passion for student learning and growth. Teaching was much more than a job to her; it was a calling that she gave her all to.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Timothy Kingery; and her parents, John Richard Clark III and Sandra Kay Wonenberg. She leaves behind her two sons, Alec William Sowell (Lily) of Paris TN, and Lon Heath (Jasmine) Sowell of McKenzie, TN; two sisters, Melinda Duffey (Willard) of Ore City, TX and Stephanie (David) Herter of Shreveport, LA; and six stepchildren, along with countless friends who felt her warmth and generosity.

She was full of love, laughter, and resilience, and she touched the lives of all who knew her. To commemorate her incredible journey and to celebrate the love she spread, a visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service in her honor to begin at 1:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home with David and Stephanie Herter, and Dr. Chip Gray officiating. 

To honor Mrs. Kingery and to share her love of reading, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to Paris Elementary School, 650 B. Volunteer Drive, Paris, TN 38242 towards the purchase of a book vending machine that will continue to share her passion for reading for years to come.