'More than a lodge keeper’

Tapoco – Historic Tapoco Lodge has been a Graham County landmark since it was built in 1930 and Kimberly Vaught – its general manager for just five of those years – left an indelible mark on the lodge, its staff, and its guests.

Vaught, a 56-year-old resident of Robbinsville, died Monday, Jan. 10 at her home after a brief illness.

Vaught was a church pastor for around 30 years before she took on management of the lodge in November 2016, but the change in careers did not end her ministry. She continued to serve as a Charlotte-based Elevation Church local leader at the lodge each Sunday, open to all, and as a sort-of informal chaplain for lodge staff and, yes, some guests.

“She was a pastor at heart while being the general manager at Tapoco,” said Kevin Bailey, Vaught’s cousin by marriage.

Always smiling

In her photos, Vaught simply beams. It appears unposed, too … simply a moment of her radiant life captured by a camera.

She shared that energy with her staff.

Many of her employees have sat at her desk, some weeping, seeking her advice, counsel, comfort, prayers, even a sympathetic hug. Career advice, marriage advice, sharing her love of Jesus Christ – she had range.

“I’d be leaf blowing and she’d come by all cheery and say, ‘How you doing, Baby?’ That was her thing. She had a big presence,” said Dalton Cannington.

“She was extremely intelligent, gifted, humble,” Bailey said, saying that her personality could fill a whole newspaper.

“At the drop of a hat she would stop and play. She loved to travel. And laugh. And good food and good wine.”

According to her obituary, her interests included travel with her best friend, Kim Cassity, spending time on the lake, loving the sunshine and making people laugh, adding that her deepest desire was to continue her family tradition to lead people to Jesus.

“And she could be loud and goofy,” Bailey said.

Loved by all

Vaught was a member of the family that owns the lodge and her obituary identifies her as owner/general manager, but that title doesn’t seem to do her justice.

The outpouring of grief when her death was announced in social media measured in the hundreds.

“There is no doubt where Kim is today! She was such a blessing to everyone in her space,” read a post by Mary Jo Neville. “We had to keep up with her or lag behind. A true witness for Jesus. Prayers for her family. I feel SO PRIVILEGED to have known her, listened to her messages & be inspired by her radiant life. Thankful that my granddaughter benefited from her Sunday School leadership. Kim was truly an inspiration. So sorry for this world’s loss. Prayers & sympathy for Kim’s loved ones.”

Vaught’s close circle of relatives, friends and co-workers are unsurprised by the outpouring.

“Kimberly was definitely a bigger-than-life personality,” said Connie Vaught Bailey of Knoxville, Kimberly’s first cousin.

Vaught’s impact on people’s lives can’t be measured precisely, but here are some factors to consider:

It’s not just the hundreds who have worked at the lodge during her five years there, nor the countless others who attended churches that she pastored. The lodge draws 85,000 people each year to its luxury accommodations, fine dining and breathtaking river and mountain canyon views.

Even if she directly encountered a fraction of that, she still personally touched more people in a year than most people touch in a lifetime.

One couple that got married at the lodge traveled hundreds of miles to leave a picture and a candle at the lodge’s gate just after her death. The couple’s wedding occurred during a fierce storm that brought down trees and knocked out power. Vaught salvaged the day and left the couple with cherished memories. They returned each year on their anniversary.

Impact on Tapoco

As for the lodge, Vaught was at work there, too.

There is a timber cross overlooking the Cheoah River beside the lodge. Vaught had the cross constructed to her specifications for the Easter Sunday service in 2019.

Vaught renovated a room on the lowest level of the lodge that had once been a bomb shelter.

Now called the Kilmer Room, she had the room redone in honor of poet Joyce Kilmer and it became among her favorite places to spend time.

Vaught’s death was the end of a terrible month for her family. Her father died just one month before her.

She spent Christmas Eve with her family and had taken ill about two weeks later. After a couple of days of being sick, she seemed to be getting better, Bailey said.

The next day, her friend Kim Cassity went to check on her in her bedroom and found her there.

The family said she died in her sleep of natural causes.

Mere days following Vaught’s death and the day before her services, the relatively small winter staff was busy at work at Historic Tapoco Lodge.

“We have a strong team, but it won’t be the same without Kim,” said Valerie Frapp, events and marketing manager at the lodge. “She brought joy. She spoke the loudest, laughed, cried – and prayed.”

Vaught received her bachelor’s degree in Compassionate Ministries and master’s degree in Religion from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn.

Churches where she served include Grace Church of the Nazarene, Springdale Church of the Nazarene, Christ Fellowship, Montgomery Community Church, and Grove City Church of the Nazarene.

Vaught is survived by her mother, Linda Vaught of Cleveland, Tenn.; her sister, Colette Mayton (Jamie) of Cleveland, Tenn.; and her brother, Aaron Vaught of Cleveland, Tenn.

A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, at Westmore Church of God in Cleveland, Tenn., with the Rev. Mark Hoffman and Kevin Bailey of Knoxville officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:

The Transforming Center 400 W Roosevelt Rd.,

Suite 100

Wheaton, Ill. 60187

(630) 588-8133.