Kathleen Joy Malcolm-Witt, a woman of deep faith, endless creativity, and unconditional love passed away on May 23, 2026, in Farmington, NM. She was born in Blackwell, OK on January 10, 1942, to James Malcolm and Tressa Cheney.

Our mother wore many hats throughout her life. She worked hard in every role she took on, as a bank teller, an oilfield dispatcher, and an oilfield chemist, just to name a few. But the role she carried most proudly was being a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a servant of God.

Her Christian faith was the center of who she was. She raised all three of her daughters in that faith, teaching us not only through words, but through the way she lived her life every single day. She taught Bible school, went on mission trips to Russia and especially Jamaica, which held a special place in her heart, and she opened her arms to anyone who needed love, kindness, or encouragement.

If you knew our mother, you knew she had one of the most giving and nonjudgmental hearts imaginable. She welcomed people exactly as they were. She believed in grace, compassion, and seeing the good in others. And whenever life felt overwhelming, she would remind us: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, because it’s all small stuff in God’s eyes.”

That simple phrase carried so much of who she was, faithful, grounded, and always able to bring peace into difficult moments.

She was also incredibly talented. Honestly, there wasn’t much she couldn’t do once she set her mind to it. She could wood burn beautiful pictures, paint with acrylics and oils, make dolls, build furniture, and create just about any craft you could imagine. Her creativity seemed endless. But what makes that gift even more special is that she passed it down to her daughters and grandchildren. Pieces of her live on in the hands and hearts of the family she inspired.

And if there was one thing she loved almost as much as creating, it was collecting, especially her beloved dolls. Her extensive doll collection brought her so much joy and reflected the childlike wonder and appreciation for beauty that she never lost.

Our mother’s life was not always easy. As a single mother, she faced challenges and heard people tell her she could not do it on her own, but our mom persevered. Through strength, faith, determination, and love, she proved that she could and was incredibly proud of the "adventures" had and the strong women her daughters became.

But perhaps her greatest joy in life was her family. She treasured every moment with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her love for them was unconditional and overflowing. She had a knack of making people feel safe, accepted, and loved, simply by being herself.

While our hearts are broken today, we also know what she believed with all her heart, that this life is not the end. Her faith gave her peace, and I believe she is now home with the Lord she loved and served so faithfully.

Mom, thank you for your strength, your faith, your creativity, your wisdom, and your love. Thank you for teaching us how to persevere, how to care for others, and how to trust God through every season of life.

Your hands created beautiful things, but your life created something even more beautiful; a family and legacy filled with faith, love, and compassion.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents James Roy Malcolm and Tressa Dollene Malcolm, husbands; Jimmy Lee McKnight and Donald Synder, maternal grandparents Lewie Vern Cheney and Carrie Buschman, and paternal grandparents, James L. Malcolm and Marie Susan Probasco.

Kathleen is survived by her daughters; Michelle (Landell) Hickox, Melinda (Randy) Sheilds, Melanie (Darryl Sr.) Brock; brothers, James Malcolm, Jerry Malcolm and Danny Malcolm; ex-husband Wayne Witt, grandchildren, Darryl (Rachel) Brock Jr., Cheyenne (Lucas) Willette, Charity Brock, Savannah Brock, Dayton (Danielle) Shields, Jordan (Katelynn) Sheilds, Hailey Hickox and Skylar Hickox; great-grandchildren, Paislee Willette, Cheriee Willette, Madilyn Willette, Klay Willette, Kayson Shields and Lincoln Brock.

You will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.