Obituary of Kimberly Gay Buckmiller

Kimberly (Kim) Johnson Buckmiller, born Kimberly Gay Johnson, loved to be called Wife, Mother, Memaw, Sister, and Aunt.  Kim, dedicated wife, mother of five, grandmother of twelve, great-grandmother to four, and friend to many, many people – unexpectedly went to be with the Lord on November 16, 2022, in Kingwood, Texas, she was only 70 years old.

Kim was the firstborn and only daughter born to the late Earnest Willard Johnson and the late Marion Jean Summers, on September 13, 1952.

Kim will always be cherished by her husband, David Buckmiller, children Donnie (Lisa), Krystal (Jeff), Clay, Conner (Danielle), and Kurtis (Christi), all residing in Texas; grandchildren Haley (Matt), Emily, Abbey, Lance, Nathan, Conner, Jr., Katelynn, Corbin, Randy, Colton, Khloe, Caleb; great-grandchildren Lincoln, Miya, Aurora, and Noellie, brothers Ernie Johnson, Robin Johnson, David Hanson, Johnny Johnson, sister Angie Johnson; cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  There are many extended family members that will miss her dearly.  Kim was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, Kyle Johnson and Patrick Matthews.

Kim was a devoted wife and mother, but more than anything else, she was fiercely in love with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  No matter how far away, no matter the reason, this Memaw always showed up for her family.  From family outings, church services, birthday parties, all of life’s biggest…down to the “smallest” occasions, she wanted nothing more than to support her family and be present for them.  She loved sitting around the table, visiting and sharing a meal with her family and friends, especially if they were enjoying her beloved Mexican and Chinese cuisines or seafood.  If you were inviting her to share a meal, you knew it was going to be one of those restaurants, and if there was a good drive involved, she wasn’t going to turn you down.

Kim loved to drive, and the feeling of freedom that it gave her.  Driving also gave her a sense of fulfillment, there was nothing that she couldn’t drive…manual cars, tractors, pulling a trailer, it didn’t matter, if it had a motor in it, she could drive it.  Her favorite places to drive to were Seabrook, the Frio River in Concan, Texas, and out to the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels.  She especially loved taking short-cuts and driving on the backroads…and usually above the speed limit.  Driving fast was a manifestation of her sense of adventure, exploration, and her playful spirit.

Having a playful spirit and heart really showed itself in many ways.  One notable way…her favorite attire.  Kim loved her Mexican dresses.  She wore Mexican dresses her entire adult life.  The bold, bright dresses with so many beautiful and vibrant colors is a testimony to who she was as a person.  Kim’s spirit has always shone brightly, and those who knew her were drawn to that spirit in her.

Kim’s antics were legendary and hilarious, her family and friends all have their own stories to tell, she always made everything so much fun.  But there was another side to Kim as well.  Kim had compassion.  Those that had nowhere to go, to stay, to sleep or to eat, Kim was always there to do whatever she could to help those in need.  Kim always made it a priority to pass on her memories to her family, honoring her loved ones that came before her, keeping them alive in our hearts, and that is so very important.

Kim loved God and his word more than anything.  She loved her church and church family at New Life United Pentecostal Church in Liberty, Texas.  Here she attended services at every opportunity that she could.

Please join the family in a celebration of Kim’s life, a way to begin keeping her alive in our hearts forever.

Family visitation and service will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Clayton Funeral Home (formerly Paul U. Lee), 201 S. 3^rd Street, La Porte, Texas.  Visitation for family is at 9:00 am.  Services for family and friends will begin at 11:30 am.

For those that wish to join the family for the interment at Grandview Mausoleum, please join the procession, or join us at Grand View Memorial Cemetery at 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX, following the service.