October 7, 2025, 56, Goldsboro —
Kimberly Renée Fowble Heeden of Goldsboro, North Carolina, passed away on October 7, 2025, in her home. She was 56.
Kim was born on March 26, 1969, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, to parents Fred Lewis Fowble and Thelma Arlene Boring Fowble. She spent most of her childhood moving around the country due to her father’s job, arriving in the Tar Heel State when she was a young teen. Kim attended Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she graduated with honors and also became a state champion in tennis.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!), where she received her bachelor’s degree from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business. While there, Kim met her soulmate and partner in crime — John Louis Heeden.
Kim went on to work in sales for Black & Decker for nearly 10 years before leaving for her next calling in life: motherhood. Her oldest daughter, Taylor, whom Kim lovingly dubbed her “Sunshine,” was born on March 2, 2000. Almost three years later, on January 13, 2003, Kim gave birth to her one and only son, Connor (CJ). Then, on December 10, 2004, Kim and John welcomed their “babygirl,” Anna, to the world — and the Heeden family was complete.
While Kim’s original career was in sales, she had a change in vocation when all of her children started attending Saint Mary’s School in Goldsboro. She became involved in the after-school care program, which sparked Kim’s love for working with kids — specifically in education. After working as a teacher’s assistant, Kim went back to school to receive her teaching certifications and credentials to become a math teacher at Saint Mary’s.
Kim always took the time to ensure her students were safe and welcome in her class, making sure no child was left behind. “Mrs. Heeden” became a cornerstone of the SMS community, making math not just palatable but fun and engaging. Whether it was silly math song parodies, playing favorite hymns on her classroom’s Google speaker, or just offering her infectious smile and laughter, Kim did her best to not only educate her students but ensure they knew they were loved and supported.
A rosary will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home and a time of visitation will follow from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and her grandmother and grandfather, Thelma Erma Boring and Walter Franklin Boring Sr. Kim is survived by her three children, Taylor Heeden Larkins (James Larkins), Connor James Heeden, and Anna Marie Heeden. She is also survived by her parents, Fred and Arlene Fowble, as well as her brother, Chris Fowble (Tiffany Fowble), and his two sons, Elliott and Adam. Additionally, she lives on through her nieces and nephews, who have often referred to her as their “favorite Aunt Kim.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic School, 1601 Edgerton Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
