Bethany Leidlein Deaton

Bethany Ann Leidlein Deaton, age 27, passed away on October 30, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. Bethany was born on October 15, 1985 in San Antonio, Texas and was raised with her three sisters and brother in Arlington, Texas. Bethany was a delightful, inquisitive and precocious child and was home schooled until she entered Southwestern University in 2005. Upon graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English and minor in Spanish in 2009, she moved to Kansas City, Missouri to intern at the International House of Prayer. She remained in community with a close association of friends during the following years. In August 2011, she enrolled in an accelerated nursing degree program and completed a BS in Nursing in August 2012. She married Tyler Deaton on August 18, 2012 and planned, along with her husband, to serve overseas as missionaries. A brilliant, multi-faceted, and precious jewel, Bethany was a lover of books, writing, nature, deep conversations, dance, worship and most of all, Jesus. Her big blue eyes revealed a heart and soul full of love, tenderness, keen intelligence and passion for righteousness. Her strong, deeply reflective, and nurturing spirit ministered to all who knew her. She gently and quietly reached out to the lonely, the troubled and the hurting. She was fiercely loyal and brightened the lives of her family, friends and strangers with her radiant smile and life-affirming presence. Bethany will be greatly missed by her father and mother, Eric and Carol, her beloved siblings Erin, Shannon, Christin and Matthew, her husband, Tyler Deaton, and a host of family and friends. Even as we celebrate Bethany's life, we deeply grieve our loss. We cherish your tears as you weep with those who weep. We pray that God will help us understand the many unanswered questions that continue to be investigated. We are sustained by His peace and stand confident in the knowledge of the Father's love as He welcomes Bethany into His arms. God is close to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). .