Dayamani Grace Kalyanapu
August 5, 1947 - July 7, 2008
Scotch Plains Baptist Church Thursday, July 10, 2008
(Biography)
Dayamani (Grace Kalyanapu) was born on August 5, 1947 in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, India to Mr. Neelambaram and Mrs. Rajamani Gurivindapali. After completion of her high school education in Gudivada, Dayamani attended St. Theresa's College in Eluru.
While in college, her parents arranged her marriage to Thomas David Kalyanapu. They were married on May 4, 1966. She made her home in Rajahmundry, AP, India. Her firstborn son John David was born on June 22, 1968. Her eldest daughter Leela Modesta was born on June 30, 1969. Her second daughter Gwen Jessica was born on September 7, 1970. Her youngest daughter Ruby Kathelene was born on December 17, 1971.
In December 1973, Dayamani moved to the United States with her four children to reunite with her husband Thomas who was attending Barrington College, Rhode Island.
She had such an adventurous spirit to leave home and country and to go to a foreign land where she knew no one and was unfamiliar with the culture, traditions and language. She stood by her husband and encouraged him to achieve their life’s dream to secure a future for their four children. She made her US-home in Rhode Island and lived there for 7 years. During that time, she completed her college education at Rhode Island College. She attended Quidnessett Baptist Church. Her church had become her family away from home.
In January 1980, her husband Thomas completed his graduate studies and started his professional career. This gave Dayamani an opportunity to return to her home in India with her four children for a visit, while Thomas remained stateside in search of employment and sponsorship for a Green Card. Because of immigration regulations, her return to the US with her four children was blocked for almost 2 years. True to form, Dayamani, when life took an unexpected and unpleasant turn, made the most of a very challenging situation. This was just a precursor to the many, many struggles life would throw her way. During her 2 years in India, Dayamani fell terribly ill. She was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis.
Finally in November 1981, she and her children were cleared for re-entry into the US as immigrants, and she was reunited with Thomas. They made their home again in Rhode Island for a second time, living in North Kingstown for 11 years. Her health continued to deteriorate. Upon return to the US, it was concluded that the initial diagnosis for rheumatism was not fully accurate. The new conclusions were that, in addition to the rheumatism, she suffered from Lupus and a tropical virus she picked up in India. She continued to struggle with her health. During all this, Dayamani had tremendous faith and trust in God.
In July 1990, Dayamani and her husband moved to Garland, Texas. There they attended Miller Road Baptist Church. Dayamani found great strength, encouragement and fellowship from her church and ministry involvement.
In July 1998, Dayamani and her husband returned to the East Coast because of Thomas' work transfer. She made a new home for herself in South Plainfield, NJ, again reflecting her flexible and adventurous spirit. Dayamani would live out the remainder of her years in South Plainfield, NJ. Dayamani and her husband attended Scotch Plains Baptist Church where she was involved in Membership Care Ministry, American Baptist Women's Ministry (ABW) and Sarah's Circle, which comprised a group of women who ministered to people within the church and in the community. Her interests included a love of gardening, reading, cooking, and various artistic pursuits.
Dayamani touched the lives of many - family, friends, children, people of all ages and backgrounds. She was a kind, compassionate, gentle soul. She was an encourager to many. She had unparalleled strength and courage in the midst of great adversity. Even through so many bitter struggles, Dayamani was able to keep a beautiful smile on her face and a genuine sense of joy and contentment in her heart. She had a profoundly deep and abiding faith in our sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ. Her hope in the Lord, and the promise of heaven, gave her the ability to persevere and keep moving forward. Dayamani 'fought a good fight, she has finished the race, she kept the faith – II Tim 4:7', and now she is home with the Lord.
Dayamani leaves behind her beloved husband Thomas D. Kalyanapu; firstborn son John D. Kalyanapu, his wife Sumita and their two sons, Joshua and Caleb; her eldest daughter Leela M. Kalyanapu; daughter Gwen K. Evans, her husband Robert and their two children Jonathan and Anjali; and her youngest, daughter Ruby K. Wildes, her husband Matthew and their children Eden, Matthias and Rose. She is also survived by two sisters, Chinnie and Chanti, five brothers Johnson, Moses, John, Kennedy and Paul, many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives both here and abroad. She will be missed by all of us who love and cherish her memory as loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, "vadinah", auntie, and friend.
We thank you, God, for the blessing you bestowed upon each and every one of us. We thank you for the wonderful gift of Dayamani Kalyanapu.