It is with heavy hearts we share that Bev’s heroic fight against Stage IV cancer has come to a close.
Beverly Ann King (Crist) passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Bev passed peacefully, surrounded by family, shrouded in prayer and hymns.
Bev was born in Ottawa and spent much of her life in Eastern Kansas. Though she began her career as a nurse, her true passion was in working with horses. Bev married Jim King in 1997 and they fostered a love for animals and raising their four children. Together they built a reining horse showing, training, and breeding business. Everyone was welcome. Bev always had a hot meal and lively conversation to fill them before they left.
Our beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother (Mimi), and friend will be dearly missed.She will be remembered for her determined spirit, love of animals, warm hospitality, and dedication to sharing the gospel.
Service Information:
Bev’s Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, March 20, at 12 PM, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Baldwin City. As we celebrate and honor her powerful legacy, we invite you to come hungry and dress casually. All are welcome. This would a great time to bust out your red colors, wranglers, and ropers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
“In Joyous Memory of Beverly King”
Sometimes when a special person leaves this world it just seems impossible to imagine any space without them. Bev King was one of those people; the inherent vibrancy she carried within herself brightened everything and everyone around her.
Bev shared all of her everything—whether it be with family, friends, or strangers—genuinely caring for others in a way that reflected her faith in the goodness of God. She was that steadfast friend that was always there when you needed her, and I will forever cherish her friendship. No matter how long it had been since we last saw each other, or how rough around the edges I might be, Bev always took me as I was, and we picked back up like we had just seen each other yesterday.
I was always impressed by Bev’s ability to arrive at a desired destination, real or metaphorical, without really knowing how she was going to get there. To me, that is the very definition of Grit-which Bev had in spades.
The amusing way in which Bev met Jim—aka James King, the love of her life—in a highly unlikely encounter at a bar, proves that sometimes she even arrived someplace good without ever knowing she was headed there. That is the hallmark of an adventurous spirit, which Bev was at her core.
To this day I still don’t understand how Bev’s makeup, hair, and nails always looked so good when the rest of us were dirty and sweaty in the 100 degrees of a Kansas summer day. Yet another of her subtle skills.
Although I already miss her dearly, I have faith Bev will forever remain with us. We will remember her love of all things living when her flowers bloom this spring. When the new foals hit the ground later this year, we will honor Bev’s belief in the future. And when someone has their best ride ever on a horse she bred, we will remember Bev’s god given talent in the saddle.
Most importantly, when Bev’s kids and grandkids share the strength and love she and Jim invested in them, her legacy will continually renew.
Beverly King, you were one of a kind. You were kindhearted to all, wholehearted in everything you endeavored, and you were the very epitome of bravehearted. It seems so unfair you are gone so soon, but I know without a doubt you lived your life with faith, you lived it large, and you made the most of every moment.
Godspeed- I know you are headed to a better place.”
– Wendy Lend
