On July 18th, the community will come together to celebrate the 4th annual Shine Like Kathryn Day, a day dedicated to honoring the remarkable life and light of Kathryn Mullins. This special day is an opportunity to remember Kathryn’s legacy of love and kindness and continue spreading her warmth to others through random acts of kindness.
Kathryn Mullins: A Beacon of Inspiration
Kathryn Mullins, a 20-year-old Georgia Southern student, was a shining example of compassion and joy. Her impact on those around her was profound. Her contagious kindness and intentional love touched the lives of many, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her radiant energy lit up every room she walked into.
Kathryn was known for her caring nature and devotion to Jesus. While in Statesboro, she was involved in college outreach programs and Bible studies in the Georgia Southern community. Kathryn worked at Axis Student Living, also running a small art business through RedBubble and selling her stickers.
Kathryn was also known for her passionate support of Georgia Southern and Alabama sports teams. Her love for football and basketball games was infectious, and she brought joy to those around her through her enthusiasm for sports.
Ashlee Bartholomay, a close friend of Kathryn's, shared, "She was an avid Georgia Southern and Alabama fan. She loved going to football and basketball games. She was involved in Wesley, BCM, and small group Bible studies. She loved being spontaneous and going on adventures with friends."
Kathryn's positive influence was felt in many aspects of her life, particularly her love for bringing people together. Bartholomay fondly recounted their time as college roommates, remembering how she and Kathryn hosted various holiday and event celebrations at their apartment during college.
From Super Bowl watch parties to Halloween pumpkin carving, Friendsgiving, and Christmas gatherings, Kathryn's love for planning and creating fun and joyful experiences for her loved ones was evident.
Bartholomay reflected, "Kathryn loved throwing holiday and event celebrations to spend quality time with friends. She loved planning and creating fun and joyful experiences for those she loved."
Kathryn's impact on another of her close friends, Edie Grice, was profound. Kathryn always talked to Edie about her art business, encouraging Edie to pursue her creative passions and start her own art business, even though Edie didn't see the potential in herself at the time.
After Kathryn's passing, Edie completed the self-portrait sticker that Kathryn had shared with her during her last week on earth. This allowed Edie to share Kathryn's creativity with all who loved her, reminding them of her joyful spirit.
Initially, Edie's art business started with the sole purpose of selling Kathryn's stickers, but it grew beyond Grice's wildest dreams, now having become an international muralist. Edie credits Kathryn as the first person to recognize her potential and constantly acknowledges her role in her business's origin story. Each item Edie ships across the United States carries the story of how Kathryn empowered her, ensuring that Kathryn's love and light live on through her art.
Spreading Her Light: Shine Like Kathryn Day
The Mullins family shares that, “Our family named July 18th 'Shine Like Kathryn Day' to honor her legacy. We’ve dedicated the day to remembering Kathryn and how she emphatically pointed others to Jesus. 'Shine Like Kathryn' is more than a day; it’s a posture we encourage others to truly live by. To 'Shine Like Kathryn' means showering kindness and contagious joy to everyone you meet. In turn, showing them the love of Jesus Christ and striving to make Heaven crowded. In years past, our family has Shined Like Kathryn by cleaning off untamed headstones at the cemetery, handing out flowers to brighten strangers’ days, leaving notes to encourage others, and paying it forward.”
Kindness was always a core value for Kathryn, as evidenced by the "kindness matters" keychain that she kept on her keys. This keychain served as a daily reminder of the importance of kindness in her life and spoke to her intentionality when prioritizing acts of service.
This simple yet powerful message reflected Kathryn's constant commitment to spreading positivity and compassion in every interaction.
Ideas for Kindness: Embracing Kathryn's Shining Light
Over the years, loved ones have found beautiful and meaningful ways to celebrate Shine Like Kathryn Day, each unique to their personal connection with Kathryn. From heartfelt acts of kindness to inspiring gestures of remembrance, it's evident that Kathryn's light has left a lasting impact on those who knew her.
As her community reflects on how Kathryn's life has touched each of them in distinct ways, here are some examples of how friends have celebrated Shine Like Kathryn Day in the past. Each loved one has found diverse and personal ways to honor her memory, aligning with the values and essence of Kathryn that resonate most with them.
Ways people have celebrated Shine Like Kathryn Day:
- Kaylen (Kay Kay) Hembree, a friend of Kathryn, gets memories constantly with pictures of them that remind her of how she should shine bright, just like Kathryn did. Once she sees a memory, she loves to share it, and then that same day, she will go and share a bit of Jesus's love with someone, whether it's paying for somebody's meal behind her, paying for someone's groceries, or just simply complimenting somebody. Kathryn showcased Jesus's love throughout her friendship with Kay Kay, and that is what Kay Kay wants to show -- how big of an impact Kathryn made on her and the world.
- Edie Grice, a friend of Kathryn, commemorates the day by purchasing buckets of sunflowers and giving them to strangers at the coffee shops and places they frequented during their college years. Edie shares a brief message with the recipients, explaining that the gesture is in Kathryn's memory and a way to cherish their beautiful memories. This tradition serves as a heartwarming reminder of Kathryn's impact on those around her and how her spirit inspires acts of generosity and connection.
- Ashlee Bartholomay, a dear friend and roommate of Kathryn, has found a unique and heartwarming way to celebrate Shine Like Kathryn Day. She writes notes of encouragement with #shinelikekathryn and hangs them up in public places, hoping that people will be inspired to look up Kathryn's story. Ashlee's thoughtful gesture began on the first Shine Like Kathryn Day when she handed out these notes at Axis Student Living, where Kathryn worked, and it has since become a meaningful way to honor her friend's memory. Her acts of kindness are a beautiful reminder of Kathryn's impact on those around her.
- Madeline Gerbig, a childhood friend of Kathryn, loves to look back on all the photos from the years that they grew up together. Kathryn was very special to her and helped her get through some tough years. She was always the life of the party and one of the kindest people in the room. Kathryn always had something encouraging to say when Madeline needed to hear it. On Shine Like Kathryn Day, Madeline sends encouraging messages to her friends and family, just as Kathryn did. She feels like this small act of kindness is a great way to honor Kathryn by loving others as she did.
These heartfelt acts of kindness and remembrance embody the spirit of Shine Like Kathryn Day, demonstrating the lasting impact of Kathryn's light on those around her.
For more information and ideas for spreading kindness, you can visit the Shine Like Kathryn Facebook Page.
Visiting Kathryn Mullins' Resting Place: A Special Invitation
As the community commemorate Kathryn Mullins's cherished memory, her family extends a heartfelt invitation to all those who hold her dear in their hearts. In honoring the rich tradition of remembrance, Kathryn's family has decided to incorporate the Jewish custom of leaving stones at her grave.
Kathryn's family welcomes anyone visiting her resting place to participate in this timeless tradition by leaving a stone. Leaving a stone is a touching gesture, signifying the enduring remembrance of Kathryn's spirit and bringing comfort to her family.
If you ever have the opportunity to visit Kathryn, her family kindly invites you to take part in this heartfelt tradition by leaving a stone, thereby honoring her memory and bringing solace to those who hold her dear, indicating that others have visited Kathryn’s grave as well. Kathryn's grave is located at Camp Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Fruithurst, Alabama.
Join us in Shining Like Kathryn!
Please join the Grice Connect team in honoring Kathryn by performing random acts of kindness on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Kathryn’s family asks that you tag Shine Like Kathryn on Facebook and Instagram and use the hashtag #ShineLikeKathryn to inspire others and allow her family to see the impact their sweet Kathryn continues to have on others.
Together, we can spread some kindness and warm the hearts of Kathryn’s family, knowing Kathryn is still touching people all over the world through her kindness.
