We are saddened to announce the death of Debbie Klynsmith, wife of GCI elder Bob Klynsmith.
Debbie passed away in Cape Town, South Africa on February 2. She had been courageously fighting cancer for over three years.
Debbie was born in Northern Zambia in 1960. The family moved to South Africa when she was three years of age. Debbie and her husband, Bob Klynsmith, were married in Johannesburg in 1982. They enjoyed close to 33 wonderful years of marriage, including parenting their three sons David, Warren and Matthew.
Bob graduated from Ambassador University in 1973 and entered full-time ministry in 1981 after working in business for several years. In 1992, Bob became the national leader of WCG/GCI in Southern Africa, serving in that capacity until 1996 during the years of our transformation as a church. He currently runs his own management and strategic consulting business in Cape Town while serving GCI in a bi-vocational mentoring role and as an editor and writer for our Face to Face magazine.
Debbie will always be remembered for her gracious strength, dignity and caring nature. She was a remarkable person and friend who sincerely served those who crossed her path with compassion. Besides being a competent legal secretary and loyally supporting Bob in ministry, Debbie poured many years of her life into the Kenridge scouting movement as a volunteer instructor. She adored young people and deeply loved her three sons. Debbie’s gentle smile, thoughtfulness and love for life will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob, David, Warren and Matthew as well with Debbie’s mother, Grace; Debbie’s sister Glynis; and her brothers Richard and Douglas and their families.
Debbie’s funeral will be held on February 8 in Cape Town. Messages may be emailed to Bob at robert@strategic-options.co.za
Cards may be sent to:
PO Box 627 Sea Point, Cape Town South Africa, 8060
Dear Bob,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear Debbie. I don’t know if you remember, but we were together in Israel for the “Dig” in 1971. I married Joan Mulley, who also passed away from cancer in 1991. I deeply empathize with you and your family. May God’s blessing and comfort be with you. Larry Wooldridge
We join the prayers of the bereaved in the comfort that our loving God can provide for that which we do not presume to be able.
In Christ,
Santiago and Elke
Bob old friend, I am truly sorry for your loss. As my room monitor my freshman year in college, you truly helped me and were a great friend. I admired you very much then as I still do today. I’ll be praying for you.
Your brother in Christ,
Charles
Dear Bob,
I am very sorry for your loss. I pray for the comfort of the Spirit for you and your family during your time of grief. Thank you for new friendship and the good times we shared last year. I hope our paths cross again soon.
Your brother in Christ,
Randy
Dear Bob,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your wife of so many years. We well remember you from our Bricket Wood days so long ago. Please know you and your three sons are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
With our love,
Don & Alix
Dear Bob,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
It seems like yesterday that you were leading some South African maniacal chant at basketball games at Bricket Wood. And yet, that was 40 years ago. Since then God has given you a full and wonderful life, and some marvellous memories of your 33 years with Debbie.
May God comfort you as we look forward to seeing our loved ones again in the future.
In deepest sympathy,
Roy
May God, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, keep you and your family snuggled in His all caring and loving arms during this time of loss – and always.
In Christian Love
Grace Covenant Fellowship
Birmingham, Alabama
To the family of Mrs. Klynsmith, our prayers are with you at this time. We pray for God to fill the emptiness and void of losing one so dear and precious to you and so many others. We are thankful that God has a plan for us all to reunite with our loved one when He returns and usher in Revelation 19, 20 21 and 22. In the meantime, we will continue to pray for you all in the precious name of Jesus. He loves you and his promise to never leave you nor forsake you will be manifested as you continue your spiritual journey.