Obituary of Rachel John

Rachel John (Kunjamma) was born on September 13th, 1940 in Pariyaram, Kottayam, Kerala as the youngest of two daughters to the late Thomas Kuriakose ( Thomas Anchery) of Othaparampil house and Mariamma Thomas of Kalayilparampil in Anchery, Kottayam,Kerala. Born to a father who was a pioneer of the Pentecostal faith in that area, and hearing the gospel preached at conventions held yearly on their family land; she accepted Christ as her personal Savior early in life and obeyed him in the water baptism. Years later, Kunjamma Married the late T.G. John from Thekkeveetumalayil house in Kadampanad, Adoor, Kerala, after which she moved with her husband to Pune. They were the founding members of the India Pentecostal Church (IPC) in Khadki,Pune. At a time when there were very few Malayalees in Pune, they were a source of comfort and blessings to many in finding jobs and providing assistance with many physical and material needs. The couple grew to be beloved by the community for the love they exhibited and their abundant hospitality. After the death of her husband, Kunjamma worked for a short period at the National defense Academy (NDA) in Pune while faithfully attending the India Pentecostal Church over the course of 26 years. In 1997, she moved to the United States to join her son and her youngest daughter and attended Bronx Full Gospel Assembly (BFGA) in Bronx, NY. She will best be remembered for her quiet spirit and how she treated everyone she encountered-with kindness and respect. Although she endured many trails in her life, she held onto her faith, and consistently encouraged her children to follow the Lord in their lives. Kunjamma peacefully went to be with the Lord on November 20th, 2018. She was truly a blessing to many during her lifetime and is now in the presence of her Savior whom she loved with all her heart. Mrs. John is survived by three children, Shirley Thomas and husband Evg. Thomas George, Stanley John and wife Jolly Stanley, and Shiney Ancheril and husband Jose Ancheril. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and spouses-namely Steven and Sharon, Stanley, Stacy and Jerry, Jeremy, Stephie, Steena, Sophia, and Joshua.