Amy Jo (Barker) Wilmeth (37) was born May 22nd, 1979, in Chillicothe, MO, and peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus with her parents and husband by her side on January 7th, 2017, after a 6-year battle with cancer.
Amy was preceded in death by grandparents George and Mary Ellen Barker, Grandma Donna Wilson, and Eric’s Grandma Couch.
Amy is survived by her devoted husband, Eric, and their four amazing children: Faith (13), Adam (10), Ethan (8), and Asher (3); her parents David and Sheri (Wilson) Barker of Ankeny, Iowa; her brother, Mike Barker of Dallas Center, Iowa (his wife Leah and daughter Bailey); her grandpa Wendell Wilson of Wapello, Iowa; her extended family of in-laws (Larry and Linda Wilmeth, Julie and Jeff Runyan, Lori and Carl Jacobsen, Scott and Chris Wilmeth, Nancy Wilmeth, and many nieces and nephews).
Amy graduated from Indianola High School and went on to Iowa State University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Computer Engineering.
She married her high school sweetheart on August 15th, 1998. She was his “love-a-dove”, “sweet-pea”, “wonderful”, and “mon petite chou”!
Amy loved so many things: horses, exploring castles, amusement parks, baking cakes and cooking, singing, reading, smelling roses, serving others, spending time with family, and most of all she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amy’s smile was infectious and noticed quickly by all who met her. She spread joy to others by loving them and caring for them. A more selfless person you will never meet. She was gentle, humble, and sweet. She was often thought to be quiet but that was only because she always sought to choose her words wisely; when she spoke you could be sure it would be worth listening. Despite that quiet demeanor, her wit was outstanding and always perfectly timed. She was incredibly smart, and she would decimate most people at any word games she played. Her compassion was boundless, and her heart always had room to love others more. Everyone who knew or even met Amy was a better person for the encounter. She lived life with grace, poise, and dignity. Her unwavering faith, hope, and love were grounded in the truth of the Word of God, which she loved dearly. She always sought to point others to Jesus and to glorify Him and not herself.
She will be sorely missed, but we rejoice that she is in the presence of God.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
A time of visitation will be held Friday (Jan. 13th) from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm and a
Celebration of Life service will be Saturday (Jan. 14th) at 11:00 am followed by a lunch.
Ankeny Baptist Church
2842 SW 3rd St Place
Ankeny, IA 50023
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in her honor to:
- Baptist Church Planters – 36830 Royalton Road, Grafton, OH 44044
- Bennington Public Library Expansion Campaign – 15505 Warehouse St, Bennington, NE 68007
- Amy Wilmeth Memorial Fund – www.youcaring.com/AmyWilmethMemorial
In Christ Alone: Our Journey through and after Breast Cancer 
Beautifully written.
Thank you for the memories.
Spot on. Excellent testimony of Amy, and the life that she exemplified. A kinder woman I have never known. She will be sorely missed.
BEAUTIFUL words for a BEAUTIFUL soul. She always had a warm smile. So sorry for your loss.
God bless you brother. I wish we could be there in support. We are here in support with prayer. Love you brother and if you need anything please holler.
Bless you all, she is a shining star in our world!
All most beautifully written. So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and yours. She is dancing in the streets of heaven pain free.
I never personally knew Amy, but found her blog in 2014, shortly after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was searching the internet for support and God led me to Amy’s blog. I prayed for her through her pregnancy and all her ups and downs. Thank you Amy for being such an inspiration and beautiful example of God’s unconditional love. My heart is with your family and all who loved Amy.
May the Lord bless the family during this time of loss and celebration.
Our thoughts and prayers are with yu at this time of the celebration of amy’s life.
Praying for you, Eric, and for all of you family & close friends. ❤️ Rejoicing for Amy, while crying for you.
Mom, Jenn, and I will attending the services today for Amy. I imagine there will be quite a crowd, your wife has touched soooo many, near and far! If we can’t personally see you, just know we are thinking of you & praying for you.
Bless you at home now.. the Lord comfort all your family and friends. Penny in Tn.
I met Amy about 5 1/2 years ago at a Bennington library storytime. I had just moved to Bennington and she was so kind and visited with me while our children played at the park next to the library. At that time our children both attended Pine Creek and I often saw her serving as often as possible even though she was going through cancer treatments. Amy is a beautiful woman inside and out! Her children can be proud of their mother who truly lived a Christlike life. I will pray for her husband and children who are missing their dear wife and mother. What a blessing it is that you have a strong testimony of Christ.