Vimala V Gaddam

In Tucson Arizona, at the age of 86, she passed peacefully in her sleep to be with Jesus on May 9th 2018. Her love of Jesus and love for people was evident throughout her life.

The second oldest of 8 children, she was the oldest girl. Due to her mother’s failing health, she took on the role of mom by nurturing and providing for her siblings. The youngest ones still consider her to be their mom. Despite all the time and effort she put into raising her siblings, she also poured herself into her educational pursuits. After graduating from Wesley Girls School, she pursued her training to become a teacher. Simultaneously, Vimala was involved in a program called Girl Guides (Similar to Girl Scouts). She progressed through the ranks of Guide, to Ranger and to the highest rank of Commissioner where she learned a vast number of skills and traveled to many places in India, teaching these skills to others. She used her God-given love for children and her adventurous spirit to pour into the children at Mahboobia School as a well-loved teacher for 25 years.

At the age of 32, she married Reverend Veeriah Gaddam in 1960 and supported him in his pastoral and missionary endeavors throughout India. She was blessed with 3 wonderful children: Isaac Pranaya Madhukar, Joseph Vinaya Sudhakar and Elizabeth Jenny Wells Kempumani. In 1977, the entire family emigrated to the United States. She did not let coming to a new country stop her from exploring new opportunities and adventures! Soon she became a certified teacher in the Tucson Unified School District and taught for 10 years, then substitute taught for another 5 years before retiring. She was popularly known as “Mrs. Beard” (Gaddam means Beard).

After 32 years of marriage, her husband preceded her in going to heaven, in 1996. After his passing, Vimala continued to serve the Lord in many ways including working with special-needs children at FirstSouthern Baptist Church, volunteering at the Gospel Rescue Mission, assisting at Randolf Park Rose Garden, and serving at Amory Park. She was involved with quilting and beading projects which she used to bless others by giving them away. She was always eager to share knowledge about India and would give talks at schools and other organizations sharing tasty Indian food, demonstrating Indian clothing styles and bringing samples of Indian money, maps and other trinkets. Most importantly, she always incorporated the message of Jesus.

Though she herself struggled with cancer on and off for over 30 years, she took time to minister to others at the cancer center where she was receiving treatment. “Social Butterfly” is the perfect description of Vimala’s God-given love for people. Everywhere Vimala went, she connected with people. It did not matter if she spoke their language or knew their culture, she knew how to connect through smiles, hugs, laughs, food and gardening. We will miss her greatly, but treasure the wonderful memories we had with her and look forward to being reunited with her again in heaven someday.

She is survived by-- Her Sisters: Prema, Saroja and JayaPradha; Her Children: Isaac, Joseph & Elizabeth; Her daughter in-law Sherry Gaddam & Her Grandchildren: Lucas, Jessica, Joshua, Jacob, Missi, Rebecca, and Benjamin.