Rebecca Jean Mathias

In Loving Memory of Rebecca Jean (Becky) Mathias
1946 – 2017

Committed to God via an unshakable faith in Jesus her Messiah, punctuated by a welcoming smile and sunny disposition to anyone she had the privilege to meet, Becky Mathias, 71, of South Kansas City, was welcomed into Paradise by her Lord early in the morning on October 28, 2017.

Becky was born on August 14, 1946, to Anthony and Jean Zenner in Akron Ohio, and grew up in the greater Akron area.

She leaves behind her beloved sisters Cindy Lung and Chris Spurr, cousin ("third sister") Kathy Boose, and life-long girlfriend Angie Myers.

She accepted Jesus as her personal Lord & Savior while a young adult; and with a heart that loved people she became her church's full-time greeter, (No one ever attempted to fill-in for her since her infectious smile and loving personality gave her a lock on that position.)

She received an Associate's Degree from the University of Akron in the 1970s which was a perfect choice since she had a call on her life to be a mother and equipper of children.

She met the future love of her life, Dan Mathias, at Akron Christian school when Dan (a new teacher) had to request her assistance during a discipline encounter with one of his Kindergarten children next door.

They went out to a dinner and a movie weeks later, and decided to just be friends (while noticing that never in their lives had they felt so comfortable speaking to another person). God's hand being in their meeting manifested itself with these two people (who decided just to be friends…) becoming engaged a few weeks later. With both of them being sold out to Jesus, God fast-forwarded them into the next 36 years of marriage – with only a handful of days in which they were apart.

Becky's life-long call to motherhood was fulfilled first in 1983 when her beloved "Bo" – son, Nathaniel was born, and her "Angel Baby" – daughter, Sarah joined their family in 1985.

Mom, Becky, invested the next 20 years of her life being their full-time Mom, and home school teacher (during the years when it wasn't cool to stay and home or home school).

During those years and until she went to Paradise, Mom Becky added many other children to her family, including (just to name a few) Courtney ("Cort") and Jenny ("Gnat").


In just the few days since her passing, her family has learned of many other "kids" who considered their time spent in the Mathias home as time with their "Mom Becky."

It was no surprise that her natural children, Nathaniel (BZ) and Sarah (Tootin) grew up looking forward to being parents too.

Sarah has been a Nanny her entire life and has been enjoying the fulfillment of loving and caring for young ones (most recently Henry Johnson) for the past 12 years. Her role model Mom, made doing so a joyful career path.

When Nathaniel married Kelsey Lewis, Mom added another "Daughter" to the Mathias family. Then, soon Becky became Nanay to her beloved grandchildren - Zooey (6.5) and Sawyer (3.5) - who became the latest loves of her life! Zooey is "Nanay's Girl" and Sawyer is "her Little Prince" and always will be into eternity - and they love her dearly in return.

Becky returned to school teaching 10 years ago, first as a paraprofessional and later Kindergarten teacher. (She finished her BS degree at this time in order to share her love of lifelong learning to children within the Kansas City School District.)

Sadly, within the first days of finally becoming a full-time teacher, she was forced to retire due to acquiring an auto-immune condition. Even with $30,000 invested in her late-in-life college investments, neither she nor Dan ever regretted her achievement.

This auto-immune condition attempted to stop her in her tracks for the next 5 years; however, with the love of her family and Lord, she still enjoyed life to the fullest until Jesus brought her to Paradise and direct fellowship with Him and her family members who had gone on before - not to mention all the new friends that will great her in Glory, and like those of us on earth, be cheered, warmed, and accepted by her beautiful smile, twinkle in her eyes, and loving heart!

Bec, I will miss you every day, countless times, even though I am thrilled where you are! (husband Dan)

Momma, we love you and are so glad we had you for so long. Thanks for fighting on each day to stay with us as long as you did! We love you Mom! (BZ & Sarah… and all her other "kids" on earth)

Becky, Mom, we will see you in the air – very soon!
Be Blessed!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Antioch Praise and Worship Team, 5201 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS