Kinam Houston

KiNam Houston was a caring wife, sister, and friend to many. She passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at Ridgecrest Health & Rehab in Jonesboro at age 82.

She was born May 18, 1939, in Seoul, South Korea to the late YU Ok Po and YU So Nyon. She was the fourth of seven children. The Korean War and the years following were a trying time for her family during which she lost her parents and 5 of her 6 siblings. While in Korea, she worked doing hard physical labor in rice fields, hospitals, and gardens. She later came to the United States and with the help of dear friends, she got a job in a factory in Tennessee. With the help of friends, she learned to drive and bought a car. In August 1978 she proudly became a U.S. citizen.

In May 1981 she married Jerry D. Houston. He was a Korean War veteran in the U.S. Navy. They lived in Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico and then made their home in Jonesboro.

KiNam was a member of the Bono Church of Christ. She loved to attend parties with her church friends, cooking, growing flowers and Korean herbs, eating out and watching westerns on TV. She also loved shopping at the International Market in Memphis. Her smiles and giggles will be greatly missed.

Ki Nam was preceded in death by her husband Jerry D. Houston. She is survived by one brother, YU Ok Ki and his family in Seoul, South Korea and a stepdaughter, Kim Houston Hyman, a step granddaughter, Kaliegh Rachwal, and a step great-grandson, Amos Houston Rachwal, all of Pittsfield, MA. KiNam is also survived by many who loved her and helped her on her journey to begin a new life in the United States: Charlie & Lillie Cate, Paris, TN, Yong Sue & Sam Morris, Collierville, TN, and her loving church family at Bono.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 5, at 11:00 AM at Strawfloor Cemetery, 1102 Strawfloor Drive, Jonesboro. Charles Cate will be officiating the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donation in her memory may be made to: Bono Church of Christ Pantry, 101 Craftsbury, Bono, AR, 72416.