Tena Kimbrough-Blakemore

Tena Marie Kimbrough was born to Doralee & Chester Russell Kimbrough in Indianapolis as "Chestena" Kimbrough on December 6, 1942. She received her early education in Indianapolis Schools and was raised by her grandparents, Minnie and William Kimbrough. The family went back to their roots in Kentucky by purchasing a farm in Olmstead, KY, where Tena attended the 9th Grade. Tena was very intelligent and upon moving back to Indianapolis, she moved up a grade and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1959.

Tena always had a desire to care for others and therefore started working in the Medical Field in 1959. She continued her education at Indiana University and became a Nurse. Her profession in the nursing field continued and she eventually became a Director of Nursing and retired as a DON from North Willow Center in Indianapolis.

Tena was brought up in the Church and gave her life to Christ at an early age at Northside New Era Baptist Church. Later in life she joined her family Church, St. John's Missionary Baptist Church She eventually joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church before returning back to St. John's in her latter years. She was also a great supporter of New Revelation Christian Church which was founded by her Son-in-Love Rev. Richard A. Reynolds and her Daughter, Tonya Kimbrough-Reynolds. Tena had a beautiful singing voice and loved to play the piano. She sang with a Gospel Group and had a radio show in Bowling Green, KY when she was younger. Being a lover of all music, she loved to have an array of music playing in her home. On any given day the sound of music from Shirley Caesar & James Cleveland to Lou Rawls, Natalie Cole and Z.Z. Hill would be heard in her home. If she wasn't listening to music, she'd be watching "The Young and the Restless" during the day and "The Big Bang Theory" at night.

Tena married William H. Blakemore in 1972. After their divorce he remained a part of the family and bonus Father to her daughter, Tonya to the present day.

Tena was known for being quick whited and her ability to speak her mind. She had no problem telling people what she thought and being sarcastic. She had a unique way of showing her love and loved to joke back and forth with those close to her. She was known to be critical of everyone's choice of clothing and hairstyles. Over the last few years she gained a new support group during her stay at Westminster Village North where she loved to tease and jokingly give the nursing staff a hard time, reverting back to her past of being a Director of Nursing.

Tena is preceded in death by her Father, Chester R. Kimbrough and Mother Doralee (Smith) Phillips as well as her Cousin/"Sister" Carol (Kimbrough) Snorten. She leaves behind her Loving Daughter Tonya Kimbrough-Reynolds & Son-in-Love, Rev. Richard A. Reynolds; Grandchildren: Jordan, Richard "Maeson" and Coleman Reynolds; Sister Deborah (Phillips) Byrd, Step Sisters: Annie WillaDean Booker, Vicki Murdock and Denise (Murdock) White (John); Step Brothers: Richard Sewell (Iris) , Jayhue "Butch" Murdock, Jr (Tiwatha.), Reginald Murdock (Sherrie) and Kendall Murdock; as well as a host of nieces nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.