WILMINGTON — Catherine Spearman McKim, 88, died Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCare Center.
She was born July 30, 1928, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the daughter of the late George Elmer Spearman and Mary Swain Spearman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert P. McKim; brother, John Spearman; and brother-in-law, Jim Hebbe.
Mrs. McKim is survived by two sons, Herbert P. McKim, and his wife, Gina, of Ocala, Fla., and Wilmington, N.C., and George McKim, and his wife, Betty, of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter, Mary Beth McKim Corbin, and her husband, Leo, of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren, Edward McKim, Devin McKim, Brittany Parish, Courtney McKim and Elizabeth McKim; sisters-in-law, Chris Hebbe and Delores Spearman; two special nieces, Kristen Hebbe Bell and Helen Hebbe Tedder; and nine other nieces and nephews.
Mrs. McKim received an undergraduate degree from Women’s College (Greensboro) and graduated with a masters in education from East Carolina Teachers College. She moved to Wilmington in 1950 from Greenville, N.C. She taught language arts in the Wilmington public school system and later sold real estate with Prudential. She was inducted into East Carolina University’s College of Education Wall of Fame.
Mrs. McKim was a past member of Wilmington Junior League, member of New Hanover County Democratic Party, the Carolina Yacht Club, and St. James Episcopal Church, where she was active with St. Anne’s Guild. She was a past volunteer for The United Way, American Red Cross and the YWCA. In addition to her many civic activities, Mrs. McKim also loved the beach, especially enjoying time spent there sailing, surf fishing and reading.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, June 17, at St. James Episcopal Church, 25 S. 3rd St., Wilmington, with the Rev. Ronald G. Abrams officiating. A reception will follow in the Great Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 25 S. 3rd St., Wilmington, NC 28403; or to NC State Foundation, McKim Diversity Scholarship, College of Design, 50 Pullen Road, Raleigh, NC 27695.
The family would like to express a special note of thanks to the staff at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
