Janis Marie Kimbrough's Obituary
Janis Leggett Kimbrough, 63, passed away on Wednesday, March 9 after her battle with brain cancer. Janis was born on April 24, 1958 in Ripley, TN. Her family moved from their farm home near Ripley to their farm in Rosemark, TN in 1972. She went to school at Rosemark Academy. Upon graduation, she attended “the W”, the Mississippi University for Women. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1980.
Janis met her future husband, John Ewell Kimbrough, IV, in 1981, and the couple were married on September 10, 1983. They raised their two sons, John Graves and Coleman, with love and devotion in Memphis, TN. Janis immersed herself in the boys’ various interests, cheering them on at swim meets and baseball and lacrosse games. She was also very proud of both boys for having attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Janis was a member of the Junior League of Memphis and volunteered at the Carpenter Art Garden in the Binghampton neighborhood, where she fostered her love of mosaics among area youth.
She was a faithful follower of Christ, dedicating herself to many women’s Bible study groups over the years. One close friend remarked that Janis “was so full of many talents and had such a love for others, especially her family. Her love of truth was compelling as well as her appreciation for beauty. She was fun, honest, forgiving, loyal and optimistic.” She will always be remembered for her infectious smile and laugh and her commitment to helping others.
Janis was preceded in death by her parents, Graves Cavnar Leggett and Frances Morris Leggett, as well as two of her dear siblings, Mary Annette Leggett and Graves Cavnar Leggett, Jr. Her life will forever be cherished by her two sons, John Graves Kimbrough (Michelle) and Coleman Stone Kimbrough; her husband, John Kimbrough; her sister, Ruth Leggett Martin; her brother, Greg Leggett; and her many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held at Grace Evangelical Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 followed by a service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, Inc. and the Carpenter Art Garden.
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