Kim was born on May 15, 1927 as Wong (surname) Kim Chun in Quong Lung Lee, Kwangtung, China to mother, Wu (surname) Zhi Lan and father, Wong (surname) Fa Da. She was from a family of seven children (five girls and two boys).

On March 1, 1947 she wed a Chinese-American U.S. Army WWII veteran named Allen Wing Seid, who had immigrated to the U.S. as a child. Their marriage was arranged by an aunt through letters. Within a five-day period, Kim was introduced to Allen, married him at the American Consulate in Canton, China, said goodbye to her family, and travelled to Hong Kong. In April she boarded the S. S. General W. H. Gordon as a “war bride” (with other World War II GI’s and their new brides) to begin a new life in the U.S.

Despite knowing no English and having little formal education in China, Kim was a quick learner as she adjusted to life in America. Upon their arrival to the U.S., they stayed with Allen’s aunt and the Chew family in Oakland, CA for several months. Kim and Allen moved on to Albany, NY to operate a laundry service for two years. Then they moved to Cairo, IL and became the owners of a small neighborhood grocery store; they named it Allen Seid Grocery. She managed the finances of the grocery store and also served as cashier and butcher. When Allen developed kidney disease, she learned late in life to drive in order to shuttle him back and forth from Cairo, IL to St. Louis, MO several times a week for dialysis treatments. Due to Allen’s health in the 1980’s, Kim and Allen moved to Maryland Heights, MO to live with their oldest daughter, Mai Lon Seid. Kim learned how to administer the dialysis procedure so that her husband could receive treatments at home. After Allen’s death in 1987, Kim continued to live with her daughter, who became her primary caregiver.

When Kim and Allen married in China, Allen promised her mother that he would care for their family. This was a promise that both Kim and Allen tried to keep. They moved to Cairo, IL so that Kim could be near her oldest sister. Working for many years with an immigration attorney, Kim and Allen sponsored three of her siblings (two sisters and a brother) and most of their families to move from China to the U.S. Sadly, they were not able to bring all of her family from China.

Kim became a naturalized citizen on February 7, 1956, with tutoring assistance from the pastor’s wife of Cairo Baptist Church. She was baptized at and remained a long-distance member of Cairo Baptist Church (now known as Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center). Twice a year her daughter, Mai Lon, would drive her three hours to Cairo for Sunday morning worship service until Kim’s health worsened from strokes beginning in 2014.

While living in Maryland Heights, MO, Kim worshiped at St. Louis Chinese Gospel Church and enjoyed the familiar Chinese culture and made many friends.

Kim was a dedicated mother and wife. She and Allen raised seven children, all of whom graduated from college and have productive lives. It was truly amazing how she cared for an ailing spouse, ran the family business and nurtured a large family.

Gardening, cooking and sewing were three of Kim’s favorite hobbies. Kim’s large garden was abundant with Chinese vegetables which helped feed her family. She was a legendary cook of homemade eggrolls, fried wontons, Chinese BBQ, fried chicken, and cherry bao (her own invention) that she shared with friends. She also kept busy sewing clothes for her granddaughters while they were growing up.

Throughout Kim’s life she was known by many names: Kim, Grandma Kim, Mama Kim, Mom, Pau-Pau (by her grandchildren), Aunt (in Cantonese), or Jennie (her American nickname). It was common for others to call her Grandma Kim or Mama Kim; and it did not matter if they were related or not because she was all about unconditional love. She freely loved everyone and so many people loved her.

Kim is survived by seven children (five girls and two boys): Mai Lon Seid, Maryland Heights, MO; Mai Fern Seid-Thompson (Don), Keller, TX; William Seid (Susan), Clifton, VA; Mai Genn Seid, Mountain View, CA; Mai Lang Seid (Max), Seattle, WA; Mae Mai Seid Boaz (Stephen), San Jose, CA; Willie Wing Seid (Kristal), Irving, TX; and seven grandchildren: Kim Boaz, Alison Boaz, Lian Thompson, Liahn Rosie Yarborough (Sean), Charlotte Seid, Sarah Seid Clamons (Sam), Zachary Seid; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, her husband Allen, and her son-in-law Max Melchiorre.

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