Beverly Jean (Kessinger) Thieme, 85, was born on June 7, 1933 at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, MO along with her identical twin sister and lifelong companion, Barbara.

After attending elementary at, then graduating high school from Greenwood, Beverly matriculated at Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield,  then transferring to Baylor University in Waco, TX, before finishing her degree at, and graduating from Drury College in Springfield.. She taught elementary school in the Springfield school system.

Beverly married Ralph H. Thieme, becoming a homemaker as well as assisting him in operating the Ralph Thieme Funeral Home until the business was sold in 1985. The family was long time members of First Baptist Church in downtown Springfield.

Beverly was widowed in 1990 but continued to be active at First Baptist where she and Barbara started and co-directed the Discovery Class which was instrumental in introducing the needy and the un-churched to Jesus and the word of God. Both Beverly and Barbara continued this ministry for several years until Beverly was forced to withdraw due to a fall and subsequent gradual decline in health.

Beverly had three children:  A son, Mark, and twin daughters, Cindy and Becky, who lived in the home. After Ralph's death, Mark, his wife, Camilla (Cam), and their two sons, Hunter and Rutger, moved from Atlanta, GA back to Springfield in 1991 to be near Beverly. In 1992, the final of Mark's sons, Hawken, was born – Beverly's only grandson born in Springfield. From this time on, Cam and Beverly developed a very special relationship that transcended being a daughter-in-law.

For nine years, Beverly traveled across Southwest Missouri watching and supporting her grandsons playing sports, particularly basketball and soccer, for her alma mater, Greenwood High School. She was extremely active in all aspects of their lives including school functions and in their developing faith. She was a sounding board and a mentor, but more importantly a wonderful example of love, faith, grace, forgiveness and sacrifice. Beverly was truly the acknowledged matriarch of the family, and was revered and honored as such by her family.

Beverly attended every university graduation of "her boys", taking tremendous pride and satisfaction in their accomplishments, supporting them in each stage of their budding careers. She treasured the holidays among other numerous, less formal family gatherings as did the family, getting to "love on her". She was at least as beautiful on the inside as she was outside.

It is a rare blessing to have a unique person in your life that not only wields such a strong influence but that makes a measurable impact on so many lives that come in contact:  A special individual that inspires one to be their best thru their life example, unconditional and sacrificial love, kindness, and empathy. Imitation is the purest form of flattery. Beverly was the epitome of Christ-like love. She loved and was loved. She will ever be in our thoughts and memories, will be unceasingly missed and remembered, and her family will rest in the assurance that she shared:  That we will be reunited with her again in glory with Christ.

This is not the end but merely an intermission before the beginning of an eternity together.