Kimberly "Kim" Sue Steele-Ealey

I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)

Just as he promised, Jesus has prepared a dwelling place for all believers. One such believer is Kimberly Sue Steele-Ealey. On the evening of Thursday, April 30, 2020, our beloved wife and mother, Kimberly Sue Steele-Ealey, was called home to her dwelling place with the Heavenly Father. Kimberly was born on July 15, 1972, the only child of Christine and Roger Ott. She was affectionately known as “Kim” to many of her family and friends.

Kim was educated in Wichita Public Schools. She graduated from Southeast High School. Between 1990-2005, Kim attended Wichita State University where she received a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education. In 2005, she received her second Master’s of Science in Education Research. Kim worked for the Wichita Public Schools System as a special education teacher at L’Ouverture and McCollom Elementary Schools for 20 years. Even when she faced challenges with her eyesight, Kim continued teaching part-time and volunteering at McCollom Elementary School. Kim’s skills coupled with unique personal attributes, such as loving, trustworthiness, loyalty and reliability, made her special to all her students, staff, and the administration.

In 2007, Kim met Armond Ealey and in March 2009, they were married in a civil ceremony. In February 2014, their marriage was blessed in a Catholic ceremony. She has two children, Paul, and Nelson. Kim was baptized at an early age, she later converted to Catholicism at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 20, 2014, becoming a full member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where she served as a lector. She lived a life of service to others. Kim was a gifted woman and devoted wife, mother, and teacher. She enjoyed reading, sharing her time with her family and friends, cooking delicious meals, and managing her business What the Fudge4, LLC (2014), with her husband. She loved meeting with all her customers and running the fudge booth at craft fairs. She might be making fudge right now in Heaven!

Kim was an incredible cook, baker, an educator, role model and mentor to many children, teens, and adults. She was a woman of integrity, kindhearted, patient, and a faithful friend for life. She was also known for caring for others, for her patience in and out of the classroom, for her ability to make those around her feel comfortable, and her beautiful smile. She will be greatly missed by all!

Kim still lives in the hearts of those who love her dearly. She is survived by her beloved husband Armond; her children Paul Steele and Nelson Ealey; her father, Roger Ott; her Aunts, Marilyn Dotts, Sharon Gray and Jeanne Ackersonher; closest cousins, Janelle Mooneyham and Aaron Dotts; her father and mother-in-law, Ronald and Catherine Ealey; her sisters-in-law, Stephanie Ealey-Johnson (Wayne), Carmella Ealey-Smith (Dwight), Carmen Ealey-Tate, Veronica Pyles; brother in law, Ronald Ealey, Jr.; close friend, Tracy Morris; and a host of other family members and friends.

Kim was preceded in death by her daughter, Andrea Lee Steele, and mother, Christine Ott.