LaTanya Kim Battle, former columnist for the Nashville PRIDE passed away this week. She was 48.
Kim was a 1983 graduate of Whites Creek High School. In 1989, she graduated from Tennessee State University earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Arts and a Master of Education degree in 1995. She was currently working towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree from Capella University.
Upon completion of college, Kim worked at Tennessee State University as an assistant director of Wilma Rudolph Residence Life Center making a difference in the lives of students. She continued to serve until her illness began.
Kim was loved by her colleagues and co-workers. She held part-time administrative assistant positions at Business Services Etcetera and Morgan & Morgan Technical Consulting Service. She worked at Measurement, Inc. as a grader of student test papers online. She also worked part-time at Goodwill Career Solutions as a ‘document archiving associate.’ Kim attended an entrepreneurial training program enabling her to start a greeting card business entitled ‘Kymmco.’
Kim will be especially remembered for her quick wit, spirit of adventure, and her passion for writing that allowed her to be a columnist for the Nashville PRIDE , writing ‘Positively Speaking.’ She was also a writer for the R.H. Boyd Sunday School Publishing Board, and wrote an article in the Vanderbilt University magazine, ‘Breaking Ground.’
Kim’s sweet disposition reached a place in people’s hearts, allowing her to make many friends quickly. She was an advocate Facebook user–communicating inspirational messages to friends, and sharing moments in time that made others see the beauty in each second.
For over 20 years, Kim and her girlfriends, Avis Easley, Sharonda Hickman-Broadway and Sinetra Duke, held monthly ‘girl’s night out’ activities. ‘The Angel Girls’ as they are called, took turns planning monthly events, ranging from dining out, attending plays, hosting charitable events for others, going to movies and more. During several occasions while Kim was hospitalized and it was her time to host the outing, the trio brought dinner to the hospital and painted her fingers and toes, in order to still continue their traditional monthly gathering.
In a previous story in the Nashville PRIDE (Click here), Battle is described as a trooper and one admired by many. Also in that same article she shares a great piece of advice for people trying to reach their goals:
“Though we have agendas and time frames for our plans, sometimes we have to take a detour and regain our focus. Not saying that we will never complete what we started, but when we return, we will be able to apply our whole being.
It is important to allow a realistic amount of time to complete any goal. However, do not become discouraged because ‘you’ did not work in the time limit that you allotted. Remember, He holds the plans, schedules, and paths to our lives. All we have to do is trust His decision.”
Kim’s enormous personality, wealth of selflessness and friendly smile will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends.
Family visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, at Lewis and Wright on Clarksville Highway. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 6, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Antioch location (visitation 10-11; funeral to follow).
