Name: Mrs. Michelle L. Stephens - Oklahoma Christian University

patient with all of us, but especially me.You see, I can’t sing or ‘choreograph’ andshe was always there to encourage me nomatter how bad I was doing! She truly diduse her gifts to glorify God.”“My brother, David Smith, who hadKim as a biology teacher 10 years later,said that she was one of the best teachersbecause of her ability to communicatehard material in a way that others couldnot. He said that her patience andencouragement were evidence of heralways glorifying our Lord with her Godgiventalents.”And Valerie (Wright) Sisk wrote thisto Dr. Gaither’s children: “Your motherbelieved in me when others did not. I washer student in 1994. She didn’t give meany breaks and I didn’t pass her class. Ithought she was being mean at the time!I am now a mother of two and it is onlybecause I care about them that I insist theydo their very best. Your mother is still awoman I think about when I don’t believein my abilities as a mother or teacher. Sheis truly an inspiration to me.”Oct. 31 SLord, your perfect peace is beyond myunderstanding. You have given me all I need. I feelrested, calm, strong and ready to face anything bythe grace of your strong hand. Cover my family.Give them assurance that you are in control. Theevil one has no control over me. None.Thurman says his most vivid memoryof Kim was from right before she left forPittsburgh on Halloween. She came toclass in full costume, not as Dr. Gaither,but as a microorganism named “KimGaitheriacea,” a corruption of KimGaither.“The entire class had bought her 75pink roses as a show of our love andsupport as she went to Pittsburgh (fortreatment). Dr. Gaither, however, was notDr. Gaither and would not leave character,creating a very awkward, funny andtouching scene all at once as 25 studentstried to show their love to someone whowas there in body (under the frizzy hair,black clothes and dark makeup), but wasnot going to break her act to be there inperson,” Thurman said.November 14 SPlease help me accept with grace and patiencethe test results today. Thank you for increasedstrength. And for the support you surround mewith all the time. Prayer warriors, card sendersand food preparers you are moving right now forour benefit.As her family, students and friendscontinue on without Kim, there is anotherspecial group of friends who are grieving– Kim’s colleagues at OC.The day before she died – weak, in awheelchair and in pain – Kim insistedon giving a lecture to her microbiologystudents. They had a test scheduled thefollowing Monday and she told her familyand others who were concerned about herthat her students would not be preparedwithout that lecture.She gave the lecture that Friday … butthe students did not take the test thatMonday.“Instead, Dr. (Molly) Hill came in andwe spent the entire hour talking aboutDr. Gaither’s life and impact on all of us.There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Thatday was one of the most memorable inmy college career thus far, and was goodfor all of us in the sense that it gave usa sense of peace and closure,” Thurmansaid. “Not enough can be said about Dr.Hill and the guiding light she was for all ofus during that time and for the rest of thesemester.”The class eventually took that test.Thurman made an A.Hill also spoke on behalf of the facultyat the funeral. She shared sweet storiesabout Kim’s reputation among students asthe “velvet knife,” and how even thoughher fellow professors might sometimes becalled cantankerous, no one could ever say“no” to Kim.“For a woman as intelligent, personable,talented, beautiful and self-confidentas you could ever know … she wasnonetheless as unpretentious and trulyhumble as you could ever know,” Dr. Hillsaid. “Kim taught many lessons. Thismay be the most important. She alwaystold you, ‘I have learned that you are notdefined by what you do; rather, you aredefined by whom you love.’”July 10 SPraise you God. For you are the Creator of allgood things. Your beautiful world is glorious thismorning. I love you Lord, and look forward topraising you more with our church today. Show mewho I can bless today. Teach me from your wordthis morning. Help me to be more like you to lookat the heart and not outward appearances. Giveme a song Father that brings glory to you andcalms and soothes my troubled spirit.by Dawn Shelton (90)Read the tribute to Kim Gaitheron the OC alumni website.http://www.oc.edu/gaither/Kimberley Kay Gaither, 46, ofEdmond, Oklahoma, died November19, 2005, in Oklahoma City,Oklahoma. Kim was born September16, 1959, in Wayne, Michigan, toNorman Lee and Merilyn KikhoefelHerron. Kim obtained her Ph.D.from the University of Oklahomaand applied her knowledge andtremendous faith in God to a careerin Christian education. She was aProfessor of Biology at OklahomaChristian University. She was admiredand respected in both the academicand medical communities. She showedkindness, wisdom, encouragementand patience to everyone. Kim bravelyfought breast cancer with graceand dignity during her final years.Her constant example of faith andfortitude blessed innumerable lives.She brought out the best in all of us.Kim accomplished many great thingsin her life, but she would tell you hergreatest legacy is her children, Lukeand Brianna. She was so very proudof them. We will always miss herencouraging smile and her beautifulvoice. At the end – “She couldn’twalk, but she won the race.” “BecauseHe lives, we can face tomorrow.”Survivors include her husband, David;son, Luke; daughter, Brianna; parents,Norman and Merilyn Herron of Tulsa,Oklahoma; brothers and sisters, JeffHerron of Livonia, Michigan, SteveHerron of Edmond, Oklahoma,Melissa Smith of Niles, Michigan,Heidi Dickens of Tulsa, Oklahoma,and their families. Memorial donationsshould be made to the scholarshipfund established in her name with theOffice of Advancement at OklahomaChristian University, P.O. Box 11000,Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73136.Transforming lives for Christian faith, leadership, and service.VISION SPRING 2006