Gladys M. Kimker
Gladys M. Kimker, age 86, of Sullivan, MO, fell asleep in death on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Life Care Center in Sullivan, surrounded by her loving family.
Gladys May was born on June 19, 1932 in Bell, MO, to R.O. and Irene Hensley. She grew up in St. Louis and began working at an early age. Gladys was united in marriage to the love of her life, Alvin Kimker, in 1955. They remained steadfast in their love for each other for 63 years. Gladys and Alvin were blessed with three children, Ronald, Elaine and Ryan. They also had two daughters, Linda and Cathy, who passed in infancy.
Baptized at the age of 18 as one of Jehovah’s Winesses, Gladys had strong faith in the prophecy found at John 5:28, 29 where it says that “the hour is coming in which all those in memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” She greatly anticipated her resurrection back to the paradise earth where there will be no more tears, death, mourning or pain, as described in Revelation 21:4. One of the great joys in her life was sharing these promises with others, and she volunteered a great deal of her time to teaching the Bible to all who would listen.
Gladys and Alvin mostly raised their family in St. Clair; however, they spent many good years in Cedar Hill before moving to Sullivan in December of 2000. Gladys enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, fishing and playing cards. She also loved to sing songs with her family, often making up her own lyrics. For the past 13 years, Gladys could usually be found dealing out Rummy cards to her husband and friends in the activity room at Life Care Center. She had a special fondness for babies, especially her grandbabies, and she was well known for her ability to rock them to sleep.
Gladys is survived by her husband, Alvin Kimker of Sullivan; two sons, Ronald Kimker of Sullivan, and Ryan West of St. Louis; one daughter, Elaine Cross of Sullivan; 10 grandchildren, Tiffany Kimker of Sullivan, Cherie Irwin and husband, David, of O’Fallon, LeeAnn Albrecht and husband, Eric, of Leasburg, Heather Hooven and husband, Jason, of Wood River, IL, Mindy Anderson and husband, Nate, of Spring Bluff, Lee Parks of St. Louis, Ashley McBride and husband, Michael, of Bourbon, Allen Kimker and wife, Holly, of New Haven, RaeAnn Neal of Sullivan, and Tommy Cross of Catawissa; 16 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Ruth Womack of Overland, Jean Hensley of Overland, and Joan Brown of St. Charles; nieces and nephews, Alvin’s family and many, many friends.
She was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Linda and Cathy; her parents, R.O. and Irene Hensley; two brothers, Leslie and Homer Hensley; and one sister, Alice Wilson.
It was Gladys’ wish to be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sullivan. All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan & Bourbon, MO.