Jane Kimbrough

Sarah Jane Tune was born along with her twin brother, Joe, in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 13, 1933. She was the youngest of seven children, developing her toughness as she contended with five rowdy brothers and a sister. After graduating from Tupelo High School, where she excelled in athletics (with many trophies still locked up in those hallowed halls), she continued her education at Itawamba Junior College. She paid for her college by working evenings at Tupelo Hospital. It was during this time that she opened the Tupelo Uniform Center, because at the time medical staff had to travel to Jackson to purchase uniforms. She ran that shop with help from her mother, Pansy, until the early 1980s. After graduating from Itawamba, she furthered her education at Mississippi State University, where she met the love of her life, James. They dated for several years, putting off marriage because she wanted to pay off her parents’ home before she got married. James and Jane set off on their great adventure on September 22, 1961, and were married for 55 years. After James finished his PhD at Cornell, they moved to Gainesville, Florida, where they lived for 50 years. Jane and James were a pair. It’s hard to separate what she did from what he did, because they had a true partnership. They both loved Jesus, their family, their church, their neighbors, and the students from the University, who they treated like family. Jane was a caregiver, not by profession but by nature, and would go to all extremes to make sure that everyone had what they needed and more. She hated to see someone in pain or in need. Jim & Jane loved traveling and were able to travel much of the world and almost every state in the US. She loved educating her children and then her grandchildren about wonderful places and people who had amazing lives. A life-long learner, she was always curious and loved to learn through conversation and books—oh, how she loved her books. She was always full of questions, and often full of answers, especially for her children and grandchildren! “Nana” or “Miss Jane” loved to laugh, to make people laugh, and even to be laughed at—although she would sure give you a glare! She leaves a legacy of love and laughter that will continue to flow through our family and those who knew her well. She will be dearly missed, but we are all so grateful for her full and amazing 92 years. Jane went to be with Jesus and her beloved James on Feb. 9, 2025, a bright and sunny Sunday morning. She leaves behind her children and spouses, Dawn and Jake Allman, Jeff and Dede Kimbrough, Jay and Kasey Kimbrough, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you give to your church, your favorite charity or the National Parkinson Foundation (parkinson.org).

Jane Kimbrough

January 13, 1933 - February 9, 2025