With heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of Wendy Hailey Kim on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the age of 45. Wendy was born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, a community she cherished and one that benefited from her boundless creativity, compassion, and enthusiasm. Even at an early age, Wendy was driven by artistic self-expression. With the dedicated support of her family, Wendy attended the highly selective High Museum of Art Summer program as a Jackson Middle School student. After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Memphis College of Art in 2002, Wendy worked as a studio assistant, production artist, and project manager for world-class artists. She would go on to design and install large-scale child-friendly murals and public art for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Bellevue Baptist Church, Love & Truth Church, the Lost Reserve, West TN Healthcare Foundation, Keep My Hood Good, Jackson Equity Project, Comeunity Cafe, the Safe Hope Center, the LOCAL, and many local businesses. Wendy was showcased as the artist-in-residence by Our Jackson Home, and her art was featured in several gallery exhibitions throughout West and Middle Tennessee. From her studio at the Ned Mcwerther Cultural Arts Center in downtown Jackson, Wendy continued as a painter and teacher whose passion for water influenced all evolutions of her work. She spent her early career capturing the spectacular effects made by light source refractions on human skin submerged in water. Wendy would later focus on the abstract, vivid fluidity of water and human experience. Wendy’s legacy as a talented and vibrant artist is matched only by the legacy she leaves as an inspirational community member and encouraging friend. Wendy was a fierce advocate who gave herself to countless local efforts and movements, including Artz Underground, the Milan Zombie Walk, the STAR Center of Jackson, Indivisible Jackson, the Jackson-Madison County Community Remembrance Project, Equal Justice Initiative, the Jackson-Madison County Library, Give Back Jack Blessing Boxes, Jackson International Food and Arts Festival, the CO, and the Jackson Arts Council. Her selflessness, generosity, and vivacious spirit will be remembered forever. Beyond her significant achievements, Wendy most cherished her roles as a devoted mother and loving wife. She is survived by her husband, Tayne Kim; her son, Benicio Sunray Kim; her parents, Joyce and Ray Hailey; her sister, Jennifer Gaugh and her husband Thomas; and many nieces and nephews, Parker Gaugh and his wife Kayla, Kelton Gaugh and his wife Kylee, Hannah Gaugh and her husband Clay, Collin Gaugh, Nolan Gaugh, Easton Gaugh, and Grayson Gaugh. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 3:00 pm at The Madison Baptist Church located at 30 Steam Mill Ferry Road. Family and friends are kindly invited to join in celebrating the life of Wendy. She was a remarkable force of love who believed we are all better together. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Wendy’s honor be made to the Wendy Hailey Kim Memorial Legacy benefiting the STAR Center of Jackson. You can donate online at star-center.org or by mail to 1119 Old Humboldt Road, Jackson, TN 38305.