The Generous Life of Susan Kay Kimes
A story told not in dates and accomplishments, but in the people she loved, the Jesus she followed, and the laughter she left behind.
Bell, California · 1947
Susan Kay Reece was born on May 19, 1947, at Bell Mission Hospital in Bell, California. Her parents, Steven and Dorothy Reece, raised her alongside her older siblings, James Reece and Paula Pease — both of whom would precede her in death.
From the beginning she was strong-willed, creative, and full of life. She would later admit, with a laugh, that even while praying daily she could sometimes “run amok.” That honesty about herself — the willingness to be both devoted and entirely human — would mark the rest of her story.
More than fifty years with John
She married John J. Kimes, and together they shared more than fifty years of marriage before John's death on November 12, 2018. Theirs was a partnership built on love, equality, respect, faith, and mutual support.
Susan considered John one of the wisest people she ever knew. He encouraged her when she was frightened, brought clarity to overwhelming challenges, and supported the ministry work she felt God had called her to do — often working behind the scenes while she led publicly.
Read their love story →1979 — a new woman in Christ
Susan became a follower of Jesus in 1979. She had been reading the Book of Revelation and reached the passage in chapter 21 — of God wiping away every tear, of the end of death and mourning and crying and pain. Something about it became deeply personal to her.
She understood that God loved her, cared about her brokenness, and wanted to heal the wounds of her past. She described surrendering to Jesus and becoming a new woman in Christ.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Her faith became the center of her life. She prayed daily. She regularly prayed the Shema and the Lord's Prayer. She mentored women, taught Scripture, prayed with people, and sought the Holy Spirit's direction in everyday life. She did not present herself as perfect — only as someone continually learning to surrender herself to Jesus.
Three boys, deeply loved
Susan was the mother of three sons, and she was tremendously proud of them: Steven Kimes and his wife Diane; Michael Kimes and his wife Kristen; and Jason Kimes and his wife Ariana.
She loved her children deeply and prayed for them intentionally — a practice she extended to every generation that followed.
Seven grandchildren, and a weekly prayer
She was grandmother to seven: Ian, Nik, Idea, Johnathon (married to Kaylynda), Kenley, Reece, and Hudson. During the final years of her life she lived with Jason, Ariana, Kenley, Reece, and Hudson — a season she described as life-giving.
She had a weekly prayer time with Colleen Coombs, Ariana's mother, devoted specifically to praying for the grandchildren. She was generous and playful with them, too. Even giving money became an event — exploding gift boxes, money guns, cryptex puzzles, packages hidden inside additional packages, and other ridiculous ways of turning a simple gift into an experience.
Italy in her heart
Susan and John loved traveling together throughout the United States and Europe. Italy held a particularly special place in her heart — especially Verona. She also traveled internationally in ministry, including to New Zealand and Singapore.
Points along the way
1947 · Family
Born in Bell, California
Susan Kay Reece was born May 19, 1947 at Bell Mission Hospital, to Steven and Dorothy Reece.
1979 · Faith
Surrendered her life to Jesus
Reading Revelation 21:1-4, Susan encountered God's promise to wipe away every tear. She surrendered her life to Christ and became a new woman.
1985 · NEWIM
Founded NEWIM
Susan founded the Network of Evangelical Women in Ministry to encourage, equip, and connect women in ministry.
1986 · John
Santa Barbara & Halley's Comet
Susan and John wandered onto a nudist beach in conversation, then watched Halley's Comet together — a once-in-a-lifetime moment with 'my honey.'
— · Ministry
Director of Women's Ministry, Calvary Church Santa Ana
Susan served as Director of Women's Ministry, teaching Scripture and discipling women.
— · Chosen Women
Chosen Women & the Rose Bowl
Susan founded and led Chosen Women Events. The Rose Bowl gathering remained one of her proudest ministry memories.
Still looking for someone to bless
The day before she died, Susan was still encouraging and talking about Jesus with her nurse. She learned that the nurse had a three-year-old son and a baby daughter expected the following week.
Susan immediately sent her family to Target to buy gift cards for both children.
Even at the end of her own life, she was still looking for someone to encourage, someone to bless, and someone with whom she could share Jesus.
“My hope is that I will be remembered as someone who loved Jesus, and served Him.”