Jan Carol Schoemaker's Obituary
Jan Carol Schoemaker, or Mimi as her grandchildren affectionately called her, passed away on July 1, 2024 at the age of 73. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
Born on December 24, 1950 in Jackson, Tennessee, Jan had a lifelong love of the arts, which started at an early age. At Jackson High School she was the youngest student ever to win best actress of the year. She spent a year at The Washington School of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and performed in The Nutcracker with The Washington Ballet. She went on to graduate from National Cathedral School, also in Washington. She later earned her undergraduate degree from University of Oregon and her Master of Science in Counseling from Memphis State University. Jan worked as a therapist, providing support and guidance to those in their most vulnerable moments. This experience, along with her intuitive nature and keen observations, made her a supportive friend and a lifeline for many.
Later in life, she found her true passion painting landscapes. This allowed her to combine her love of the arts with her deep appreciation of the beauty of nature. Her love of different perspectives and culture was evidenced in her travels. In addition to significant travel abroad, she lived in Nigeria and Canada, as well as several states in the U.S. Jan was an experiential learner through her own journeys, as well as those of others. She was an avid reader and loved to watch documentaries, especially moved by stories about creative souls who lived life on their own terms. Jan was also very generous, improving the lives of those less fortunate in any way she could. She did this humbly and anonymously, never seeking credit or accolades.
Jan’s generosity, her sharp wit and humor, insatiable curiosity, and passion will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was full of warmth, laughter, life, and moxie. Jan said what she thought and stood for what she believed in. Her friends, who were like extended family, included childhood friends and new friends alike, from all different backgrounds. She was one of a kind whose joyous spirit and memory will live on in the hearts of many.
Jan is preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie Blake Miller and her father, William Harley Miller. She is survived by her daughter Kindra Faye Long, son-in-law Jesse Gordon Long, and her grandchildren Sophia Blake Long and Theodorus James Long, all of Portland, Oregon; her sisters Darrelle Blake Miller and Patricia Miller Anderson (Newton) of Memphis, TN; nephew Newton Blake Anderson of New York, NY, and niece Alicia Anderson Gomes (Charles) of Tampa, FL, as well as close cousins, including Debra Blake Voss of Germantown, TN and other extended family.
Despite all of her many adventures, Jan was Southern at heart, always returning home to Memphis, her final resting place. A memorial service will be held to celebrate Jan’s life and honor her memory, at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery (5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119) on Saturday August 24th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. A reception will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to charities that were close to Jan’s heart such as Planned Parenthood, Collage Dance Collective, and Dorothy Day House.
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