Joan Kimbrell Gurganus

JoAn was born in Walker County, AL and graduated from Oakman High School. She married her first husband, Raymond H. Kimbrell, in 1958. They lived in several southeastern states until settling in Adamsville, Al where they raised their three girls, Jennie, Janice, and Rebecca. She taught 1st grade at West Birmingham Christian School. After Raymond’s passing, she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Stamford University and worked at South Haven Nursing Home for 10 years. JoAn married L.T. Gurganus in 2002 and moved to their final home in Parrish, AL. She and L.T. spent many loving years together doing church and mission work in and around Walker County. They travelled to many countries on mission trips including Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, Myanmar (Burma), and others. JoAn will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 20th, from 1 pm – 2 pm at Kilgore-Green with service to follow at 2 pm in the chapel, with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. David Wade will be the minister.

She was preceded in death by her spouses, Raymond H. Kimbrell and Luther Thomas (L.T.) Gurganus; children, Jennie K. Jones and Quena Gurganus Mears; parents, Fletcher and Willie Nelle Herzig Wade; sibling, Betty Plyler; grandparents, Lorenzo Dowe Waid, Julie Sanford Waid, Willie Emil Herzig and Maude Bell Key Herzig; and in-laws, Dorothy Kimbrell, and Lemon and Marietta Gurganus.

She is survived by her children, Janice K. Gosnell (Doug), Rebecca J. Kimbrell (Andrew Parker), Mike Gurganus (Kate), Rob Gurganus (Emily) and Sandy Mears (Denise); grandchildren, Robert Gosnell (Athena). Chris Gosnell (Val), Victoria Woods (Michael), Ashley Lee (Jimmy), Emily Rodgers Gurganus, Anna Laura Gurganus, Drew Gurganus and several great grandchildren; and brother, David Wade (Helen).

Pallbearers will be Mark Plyler, Rob Gosnell, Chris Gosnell, Michael Woods and Drew Gurganus; and honorary pallbearers, Doug Gosnell, Andrew Parker, Mike Gurganus and Rob Gurganus.

In Lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: Indian Creek Youth Camp, 7855 Pleasantfield Rd., Oakman, Al 35579 or World Evangelism Missions P.O. Box 72 Winona, MS 39967.