Kimberly Dawn Piper (Underwood) passed away on Dec. 8, 2018 after a long fight with cancer. Kimberly was born to Jerry and Patricia Underwood on Dec. 20, 1967 in Chattanooga, TN. She is survived by her husband Mark, daughter Virginia, mother Patricia Underwood, brother Jeremie S. Underwood and uncle John W. Miller, as well as many extended family members in Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her father and both maternal and paternal grandparents.

Kimberly and Mark met on a school bus in 1982 not long after her family moved to Flagstaff from Ringgold, GA. By Kimberly's account, she knew she found her 'one and only'--she and Mark were married on June 17, 2000 after what she commonly referred to as an extended engagement. Their daughter, Virginia Mae, came along in 2004 as a welcome surprise. Kimberly always considered Virginia Mae her greatest life accomplishment.

Kimberly worked for Flagstaff Medical Center for many years in several different capacities. She had roles as a nursing assistant, as an OB scrub tech where she helped bring many babies into the world, and as the staffing secretary in which she was able to work her magic in filling critical shifts. She also spent some time working in the special care nursery. FMC was always a heartfelt place for her. Her most recent employment was at Flagstaff Pediatric Care allowed her to see some of the same children she had helped deliver in the hospital.

Kim loved beaches and the sound of the ocean, her free Craigslist hot tub, and rollercoasters- the faster the better. She liked playing keno and most of all being on vacation somewhere. Her home always had a mix of pets, Labradors, Jack Russell terriers, and cats; every one had a buddy.

Kimberly was a force of nature: fearless, loving and honest. You always knew where you stood with Kim good or bad- she wasn't afraid to tell you.

There will be a celebration of Kimberly's life in the early summer. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to cancer research or Northland Hospice.