Kimberlye Ruth Heap

Kimberlye Ruth Heap was born on December 5, 1957, in Jacksonville, Texas. Kim was the middle of five children born in seven years to Raymond and Joyce Gary. The stair-step siblings were closely knit after years of moving around for Raymond’s job as a pastor. Kim began a relationship with God early, and accepted Christ in her life at the age of 12.

Kim began working as a hairdresser when she was in high school, and that career led her to Odessa, where she went on a blind date with the son of a client. Kim fell in love with Craig Heap and became stepmom to Ben and Cody, and Kristiana and Blake were born shortly after.

Kim loved being a mom. She was a soccer coach, room parent, PTA member, den mother, school dance planner, Sunday school teacher—anything her kids needed, she was there.

The only thing Kim loved more than being a mom was being a grandmother. She loved being “Mimi” to Jackson and Abby, and “Kimmie” to Tilley. Her favorite time of year was an annual Cousin Trip she and her sister Kashia took with their grandkids, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Kim was a devout Christian and member of Community Bible Church. She believed in a loving and forgiving God, and she lived by those principles. She had a giving and serving heart and hosted many bible studies throughout her life.

Kim was known for her generosity and kindness. When her hearing-impaired nephew could not find an interpreter for his college photography class, she learned the technical terms in sign language and attended class with him. When her daughter’s teammate could not afford a tennis racket, Kim anonymously left one on the girl’s porch. There are countless stories like this; she was the first to quietly lend a hand when someone was in need.

Her love language was giving gifts. Holidays and birthdays were made special because of her. She loved family game nights and taking her extended family on trips, especially to South Padre Island. Kim loved being near the water. She enjoyed puzzles and word games, studied etymology and geology, collected jewelry and antiques, and had a passion for creating abstract paintings.

Kim is survived by her daughter, Kristiana Heap Butler (and husband Andrew Butler); son, Blake Heap (and wife Courtney Heap); stepson, James Cody Heap; sister, Kashia Craig; brother, Kevin Gary (and wife Rhonda Gary); grandchildren Tilley Butler, Jackson Heap, and Abby Heap; step-granddaughter, Chloe Heap; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy “Craig” Heap; her parents, Raymond Gary and Joyce Tilley Gary; her siblings, Keith Gary and Kathi Brookshire; and her stepson, Benjamin Heap.

Kim’s family asks that you take a walk on the beach, take a dip in a pool, or have a family game night in her honor.

Services will be held at Community Bible Church on Saturday July 31, 2021 at 10am. Burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.