Kimberly Diane Canaday

Kimberly Diane Canaday, 50, of Bella Vista AR, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, surrounded by love after a 4 1/2 year battle with Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma. She was our courageous #CanadayStrong warrior.

Kim was born on April 12, 1975, in Davenport, IA to Robert “Craig” Canaday and Judith Sypult. She spent the first 12 yrs in Clinton, IA and by the time she was old enough to reach the pedals, you could find her on her bike cruising around town with her best friends. When she wasn’t on her bike, she was drumming to her favorite band, Heart or Olivia Newton-John. In 1988 she moved to Rogers, AR and graduated from Rogers High School in 1994. After high school Kim attended College of the Ozarks where she received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, for which Kim had an incredible passion.

After college, Kim worked a variety of jobs before she settled into her niche at JBHunt. As an adult, Kim continued to explore her passion for music. Although she admittedly couldn’t read music, she had an ear and a gift. She enjoyed playing with a variety of bands through the years. Her jam was especially 70s rock and 80s country. She cherished the friendships formed doing what she loved. She enjoyed even more telling the stories of her great music adventures.

Kim was united in marriage to Jenifer Hightower on September 28, 2017. In marrying the love of her life, Kim gained the best gift of bonus mom to Cody and Jesse. This later brought the title she adored, “Mimi”. Lilliana Rose, Stevie Joy and Callum Neal were adored as her grandchildren. Together, Kim and Jeni built a life full of adventure, “Jeepin”, always choosing the road less traveled. Kim enjoyed listening to music and having conversations with beloved dogs, Gus Franklin and Bernice Francis. Kim used to say often, “We can do hard things.” If you ever had a problem with anything, Kim would give you unbiased clarity to help you move through a choice. She was the most genuine human and wanted everyone to be the best version of themself.

Kim is survived by her wife, Jenifer Canaday (Bella Vista, AR); bonus sons, Cody (Brenda) Dreifurst and grandchildren Lili, Stevie, and Callum (Schuyler, NE), and Jesse Dreifurst (Bella Vista, AR); father, Craig (Debbie Hendrickson) Canaday (Bella Vista, AR); mother, Judy Sypult (Rogers, AR); brother, Matt (Katie) Canaday (Springdale, AR); special nephew, Dakota (Des) Canaday and grandniece, Brynlee, (Rogers, AR); and special niece, Abbey Canaday (Pea Ridge, AR); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Belinda and Dan Keiter (Columbus, NE); mother-in-law, Dianne Hightower (Las Vegas, NV); sisters-in-law, Laura (Jason) Brezenski (Papillion, NE), and Sarah (Joe) Wacha (Columbus, NE); grandmother, Lois Canaday (DeWitt, IA); and many aunts, uncles, bonus nieces and nephews, and special beloved “Mom 2” Annette (Rick) Jess-Mussman (Clinton, IA).

Kim was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Robert L. Canaday and Shirley Sullivan; maternal grandmother, Melba Turner; father-in-law, Neal Hightower; bonus infant daughter, Brylee Dreifurst; Aunt Diane Bowerman; and many special pets.

Throughout her life, Kim had a profound faith, love for adventures and treated friends as family. She didn’t know a stranger and in fact probably knew more people by name than most do in a lifetime. Kim’s legacy will continue to live through her family and her openness to share her journey of ovarian cancer in hopes to save a life. Kim’s family is grateful for the care she received from Dr. Molly Greenwade at Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield, MO, the clinical trial team at OU Cancer Center, nurse Kayla and the Circle of Life Care Team. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Angel Fund through Circle of Life Hospice.