Kimberly Adelson

Kimberly S. Adelson, 48, of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Feb. 14, 1969, in Scottsdale, Arizona, the daughter of Karen Earley Adelson and George R. Adelson and the granddaughter of Naomi and Robert Earley of Cape Girardeau. Kim's family lived in Scottsdale; St. Louis; Katy, Texas; and Philadelphia before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1982.

She graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1987 and Southeast Missouri State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a certification in behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. In 2004, she earned her master's degree in secondary education from William Woods University.

Kim started her teaching career at the Juvenile Detention Center in Cape Girardeau from 1992 to 1994, when she began teaching at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School and provided instruction there to students enrolled in the emotionally disturbed and learning disabilities programs until 2012.

In 2013, she moved to Glendale, Arizona, where she taught in the Deer Valley School District until returning to Cape Girardeau in 2015. In January 2015, Kim began teaching special education for the Sikeston (Missouri) School District at Matthews Elementary School and was nominated by the staff for Teacher of the Year for the Sikeston public schools for the 2016-2017 school year. She retired in 2017 due to her failing health.

Kim was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Community Teachers Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization and the Cape Evening Optimist Club, where she had called bingo regularly every Friday night.

Kim's hobbies included playing golf and tailgating for the Redhawks games with her friends, the Moose Knuckles and Moose Knucklettes. She was also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

But in Kim's own words, her greatest accomplishment was the relationships she built and continued to maintain with her students over her 24-year career. They knew from the first day her word was her bond, and they mattered and were important contributors to society. If they hadn't eaten, she provided them snacks. If they didn't have glasses, toothbrushes, shoes, clothes or a warm coat, she would buy it or get it donated. Her students knew her door was always open.

Kim was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Naomi and Robert Earley.

She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Karen and Larry Dierks of Sun City West, Arizona; her father and stepmother, George and Chardelle Adelson of The Woodlands, Texas; her brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Linnea Adelson, and their sons, Grant and Quin of Louisville, Kentucky; her sister, Kathy Laucius, and children, Robert and Addie of Houston, Texas; her aunts and uncles, Joan and Bill Morgan of Cape Girardeau, Jim and Leigh Earley of St. Charles, Missouri, and Robert and Gail Adelson of Phoenix, Arizona; her first cousins, Amy (Matt) Schroeder of Eureka, Missouri, Mark (Anitra) Armbruster of Cape Girardeau, Jenny (Kyle) Martin of Ozark, Missouri, and Ryan (Mindy) Earley of St. Peters, Missouri; and all of their children, as well as cousins Robin (Joe) and Jennifer Johnston of Kirkwood, Missouri. She also is survived by her stepbrothers, Brian (Jennifer) Dierks of Leawood, Kansas, and Patrick (Cindy) Dierks of Overland Park, Kansas; stepsister, Katie (Duncan) Goodman of Denver, Colorado; and all of their children, in addition to a host of many very special and cherished friends.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 at LaCroix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Celebration of life service will be at noon Aug. 26 at the church, with Pastor Angela Beise officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Southeast Cancer Center, Southeast Hospice or Sikeston R-6 Schools/Matthews Elementary School, 1002 Virginia St., Sikeston, MO 63801.

Morgan Funeral Home of Advance, Missouri, is in charge of arrangements.