Kimberley Dawn Kitchens Tupman

Heaven gained a beautiful angel on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Kimberly Dawn Kitchens Tupman was the second daughter born to Dale & Jerri Kitchens on Nov 9, 1970 in Grenada, Mississippi. At an early age, Dale and Jerri instilled in Kim and her sister, Michelle, a love of family that included extended family and friends that became family. After several moves in several states, the family settled in Midland in 1980. Growing up, Kim attended Rusk Elementary, Goddard Jr High and graduated in 1989 from Robert E. Lee High School. She was a proud Rebel through and through!

During her childhood she met some little girls who formed a “squad” they called SBBFF. Kim and the gang could be seen on roller skates, twirling batons and singing with their boom boxes all over the neighborhood. Later, their favorite hangout became Taco Villa and cruising the drag. Nothing mattered as long as they were together. This friendship has lasted over 38 years; it has carried them through marriages and moves, careers and children, deaths and divorce. Each year, it grows stronger and stronger. The main reason is because Kim was the glue that held them together.

After high school graduation, Kim worked many years at Grace Presbyterian/Village School Daycare where she formed many lifelong friendships and cared for countless numbers of children; several of which she remained in contact with as they grew older. She later worked at a bank and finally ended up in the medical billing field.

In 1996, Kim met Jon Tupman while working as a teller at Norwest Bank. Jon remembers her wearing a sundress that caught his eye and captured his heart. Kim married the love of her life on June 21, 1997 at Alamo Heights Baptist Church in Midland Texas. The newlyweds began their life together in Midland and eventually made it to Kingwood, Texas where they started their family with three beautiful children Lauren, Braeden and Bryce.

A typical day in the life of Kim included getting kids ready for school, packing lunches, refereeing arguments in the back seat while drinking her favorite Grande White Chocolate Mocha Latte extra hot before heading to work. Lunchtime included runs to Target or Hobby Lobby or spending her Kohl’s cash because, heaven forbid, those coupons expire. (shh don’t tell Jon). After work the fun resumed with stops at Kroger’s, HEB or Wal-Mart and at least 3 stops for individual supper orders… and just one more Starbuck’s stop for good measure!

Kim’s favorite weekend included an early lunch with Jon at Gringo’s then errands before returning home to conquer his to-do list. As long as they could tackle it together she was happy. Kim loved planning vacations and nobody was more ready to hit the open road than her. Getting away with her family made it all worth it. In the past year alone she planned family trips to Tennessee, the Beach and a Disney trip that was postponed due to Covid.

Kim was always in charge of the girl’s getaways because she knew being together was most important. Whether it was Marco Polo videos, texts or calls, Kim always made sure each one of her squad was okay.

Above all else, Kim’s reason for being was her family. She was so proud of her handsome boys and her beautiful daughter. She went above and beyond to make sure their needs and wants were met… including standing in long Black Friday lines, planning birthday parties, redecorating their spaces, and continuously praying for them.

Kim had a strong faith that was instilled in her by her parents which she maintained throughout her life. She was never afraid to tell you how she felt when it came to politics and religion. When diagnosed with cancer, her faith grew even stronger. Every day she carried herself with grace, strength and dignity; never complaining about having cancer, the treatments or how they made her feel. She continued caring for her family and friends thru it all. Never a victim of cancer, always the victor. To know Kim was to love her. Her smile and laugh were contagious; she will always be the apple of Jon’s eye.

Kim is preceded in death by her parents Dale and Jerri Kitchens. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Jon Tupman of Kingwood, Texas. Her daughter Lauren Tupman, and sons Braeden Tupman and Bryce Tupman all of Kingwood, Texas. Sister Michelle Acton and husband John of Midland, Texas. Mother in Law, Jimmie Tupman of Kingwood, Texas. A Brother and Sister in Law, several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and her SBBFFs (Connie, Crystal, Jeanette, Sherry, Stephanie and Yvonne).

The family wishes to thank Dr. Angela Coscio and the Oncology Team at Saint Lukes – The Woodlands. Special thanks to family and friends for the calls, messages, texts, visits and most importantly the prayers. We are all so lucky to have had Kim in our lives as either a devoted daughter, sister, niece, cousin, wife, mother, aunt or friend.

Visitation will be from 9:00am ~ 11:00am on Friday, 09/03/21 at Kingwood Funeral Home in Kingwood, Texas. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Kim’s life afterwards, at 11:00am, for a memorial service at Kingwood Funeral Home in Kingwood, Texas.

Another visitation will be held from 5:00pm ~ 7:00pm on Monday, 09/06/21 at Nalley, Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland, Texas. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00pm on Tuesday, 09/07/21 at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Midland, Texas.