Rebecca (Thomas) Mathew

Rebecca Mathew, affectionately known as Bava, was born on December 13th, 1940 in Cheekanal Omalloor, Kerala, to the late Mr. Kaithaveetil Koshy Thomas and the late Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas, who belonged to the Kaithaveetil Thekethil family. She was the youngest of ten children. At the age of 10, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, was later baptized by water, and filled with the Holy Spirit. From a young age, she wanted to glorify God in all aspects of her life. As she grew, she longed to share the love of Jesus to the lost and broken-hearted.

In 1964, she moved to the city of Bhopal, where she was employed in a state government facility before working at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited until 1999. On March 3rd, 1966, she married her beloved husband, Pastor P.J. Mathew. Together, they spread the gospel to the unreached, even as they worked in their careers. They ministered to the community by visiting the neighborhoods around them, where they testified of God's transforming power; she spoke of God's love to her co-workers as well. They were blessed with three children, Bobby, Babsy, and Betty. In 1999, she moved to Anjilithanam, Kerala with her husband. The next year, Rebecca and her husband established a church by God's grace in Kaniayapara, Kerala. Rebecca was faithful in her duties as she served among the body of Christ by encouraging the members to resist sin as she prayed earnestly for them.

Later, as her children began their own families, Rebecca was blessed with eight grandchildren. All her grandchildren are grateful for the love she poured into their lives as she instructed them in God's word.

On July 6th, 2021, she went to be with her Lord and Savior surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Pastor P.J. Mathew, as well as her children, son, Johnson Mathew (Bobby) & wife Febi Mathew, daughter Babsy Palamattam & husband Joseph Palamattam, daughter Betty Sam & husband Sam George, and grandchildren Jayce, Johan, Joanna, Josie, Jason, Ruth, Christopher and Stacy. All her 9 siblings preceded her into glory.

The spiritual legacy she built in her children and grandchildren, as well as the souls she won for the Lord will live on for eternity. She had a zeal to live for the Lord with every breath. She loved her family with all her heart, and she was cherished by all those who knew her. Her beautiful smile and her laughter will be missed dearly. We have a blessed hope that we will meet her one day in heaven, singing and rejoicing with God.

Matthew 7:21 was her favorite verse: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

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