A GoFundMe account has been established for the family of the young nurse who died July 12, 2023, in an early-morning wreck on Alcoa Highway. Survivors include her husband, Alex, and children ages 9, 6 and 10 months.
Kimberley Mendes R.N., 38, was heading home to Maryville after working night shift in an area hospital. According to police reports, Mendes was driving a sedan south on Alcoa Highway and a southbound semi-truck was trying to merge to switch lanes when it struck the sedan. The sedan spun across the median and into the northbound lanes of Alcoa Highway, where it was struck by an SUV.
By evening on July 20, the GoFundMe account had raised $13,200 from 130 donors. It was established by Alex Mendes’ sister who wrote: “Kim was a devoted mother … and a loving partner and best friend to Alex. … The world lost one of its kindest, brightest souls today. Rest in peace, dear Kim. We love you, and you will be missed greatly by everyone your light touched.
The family needs help with funeral costs and ongoing expenses.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 28. The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 29, both events at Partnership Christian Church in Maryville. ith Pastor Jeffrey Palmer officiating. The full obituary is here.