Jo (Alice) Kimbrel

Jo (Alice) Kimbrel, 80, of Kirkland, died on February 2, 2016 of natural causes. She was born in Gravette, Arkansas on March 9, 1935 to the late Joseph and Nora Cramer. At an early age, she decided to call herself Jo after her father rather than Alice.

She moved to Wichita, Kansas and soon married Laddie Kimbrel. Together they had 5 children. Laddie moved the family to Seattle to work for Boeing. Jo raised her children and then went to work at Juanita High School, as the lead night custodian.

After retirement, Jo spent countless hours in her garden, and enjoyed watching her family grow. Jo enjoyed getting her entire family together and cooking large dinners. She was an avid reader, talented gardener, and gifted baker. Her banana bread, peanut butter cookies, and homemade jams were everyone’s favorites.

Jo is survived by two sisters, Lee Burns and Glenda Johnson, one brother, Darol Cramer, one daughter, Terri Houlahan, and 4 sons, Tim, Tony, Tracy, along with their spouses, and Todd Kimbrel. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration of life in Jo’s honor will be held on Saturday, February 27th at 2:00pm at the Kirkland Congregational United Church of Christ, 106 – 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA. In lieu of flowers, Jo requested donations be made to the Kirkland Food Bank, Hopelink in her honor.