Kimberly Jeannine (Gilbert) Mathenia, 62, of Steele, Missouri passed away at her home on Friday December 30, 2022. She was born on March 30, 1960, in Blytheville, Arkansas, the daughter of Eddie and the late Bonnie (Johnson) Gilbert.

Kim was raised in Steele and graduated with the class of 1978 from South Pemiscot High School. Then went on to get her education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau with a bachelor's degree in teaching. She was a schoolteacher and taught for a few years in Ripley Tennessee before moving to work as a 5th grade teacher at Blytheville Public Schools for many years.  Her passion was ministry and helping others with their struggles, touching many lives and bringing them to Jesus in her journey on this earth. She was a founding member of the Brothers Keepers in Batesville, Arkansas, a mission to bridge a gap between the court system and a faith-based alcohol and drug addiction recovery program and to raise awareness of these programs that offer freedom from addiction through Jesus Christ. She attended the Butterfly Ranch and John 3:17. After recovering from these places she stayed on to continue helping and teaching others in need to recover. After leaving John 3:17, she went on to Jeremiah House where she was house mom and helped with women's recovery here as well. With her own issues she was a true angel on this earth to many as a prayer warrior!  Keeping her Bible close and filling it with many scriptures, messages, and notecards.  She was a participant of Celebrate Recovery in Newport, Arkansas.  She enjoyed cooking and collecting angels and always seemed to have a sprite in hand. Also, sure to mention she loved Prince and the color purple. She was a Granny to two Grandchildren Alexis and Cade Mathenia, as well as her great nieces Natalia Nolen and Ellie Jackson, and Jess's children Braxton, Willow, and Harrison, she cherished them all.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents:

Irene & Newberry Johnson, Everett & Vivian Gilbert

Her mother:  Bonnie (Johnson) Gilbert on 01/03/1995.

Her Sister: Leslie Gilbert

Survivors: Her Father: Eddie Gilbert and his wife Mary of Steele, MO

Two Sons: Josh Mathenia and his wife Abby of Steele, MO

Derek Mathenia and Jess of Steele, MO

One Sister: Teresa Jackson and her husband Danny of Steele, MO

Two Grandchildren: Alexis and Cade Mathenia of Steele, MO

One Niece: Bonnie Jackson and Ryan Nolen of Steele, MO

One Nephew: Brady Jackson and his wife Kate of Odenville, AL

Two Great Nieces: Natalia Nolen and Ellie Jackson

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday January 3, 2023, at 12:00 pm at the John W. German Funeral Home in Steele, Missouri, with Brother Ryan West officiating. Visitation will be on the same day from 10-12 all at the John W. German Funeral Home in Steele.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Kim Mathenia to John 3:17 Women's Ministries.

Donations can be made to this ministry by giving the money to the funeral home, or by sending donations to John 3:17 431 HWY 145 South Newport, AR 72112 or go online www.john3:17 ministry.org and specify in memory of Kim Mathenia.

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