PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN SERVICE LOCATION
Kim Lovett “Harmonicat” Kettles, 67, of Blackshear, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Memorial Satilla Health Systems in Waycross.
Born in Dublin November 11, 1955, he had lived in Glynn County for many years prior to moving to Pierce County seven years ago. He was a 1973 graduate of Swainsboro High School. He would later move to Destin, FL, where he would work on fishing boats for a few years before starting his own roofing company which was also in Destin. He made the move back to Swainsboro and then St. Simons Island where he and his mother owned and operated Kettles Fine Foods, Inc. with restaurants on St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Jacksonville, FL. A true music lover, he played the guitar and the harmonica giving him the nickname “Harmonicat”. His talents led him to creating a cartoon around Harmonicat and his musical exploits. His love for history and the written word guided him in having two books published – Go Baby Cake, Go and The Life and Times of Private James Thomas – as well as several poems. He enjoyed fishing and had a love for gardening. He transformed his backyard into an oasis and loved getting his grandchildren involved in growing vegetables. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren and being their “Poppy”. He attended the Blackshear Presbyterian Church.
He was a son of the late David Earl Kettles Sr. and Jeannine Johnson Kettles. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Katie Lovett Kettles.
Survivors include his wife, Lana Thomas Kettles, Blackshear; a daughter, Gloria (Jay) Rylee, Waycross; a son, Wes Davis, Jesup; his sister, Karen Kettles Yeomans, husband Ronnie, Dublin; his brother, David Earl Kettles Jr., wife Angie, Swainsboro; six grandchildren, River Bentley Sasser, Kelly Elizabeth Brewster, Jayce Rylee, Keighlynn Rylee, Bentlee Davis and Amelia Rylee; two nieces, Michelle Hubbard, husband Bill, Dublin and Katie Manson, husband Dr. Tony, Peachtree City; a nephew, Lincoln Kettles, wife Mandy, Swainsboro and several other relatives and friends.
Memorialization will be by cremation.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, from the Pearson-Dial Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Blackshear Presbyterian Church, 432 Main St., Blackshear, GA 31516 or to WINGS (Domestic Abuse Support) at www.wingsdublin.org.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
