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Jimmie McGraw Kanning, 83, passed away surrounded by loved ones on October 13th, 2022, from complications after a massive stroke. Jimmie is survived her son Matthew Anthony Kanning, his wife Ava Angle Kanning, and daughter Kathryn Kanning Langford. She is grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren: Lindsay, Logan, Brooke, and Bryanna. She is also survived by her sister, Jerri McGraw Tinnemeyer, cousin, Sharyn McClure, as well as many close family members and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, James Richard Kanning, and son, Christopher James Kanning. Jimmie was born on February 12, 1939 to Lela and Jim McGraw in Galena Park, Texas. After graduating from Galena Park High School, she went on to study education at the University of Texas. It was in Austin where she met James and the two embarked on a life filled with love and happiness. Being a mother was one of the most important parts of Jimmie’s life, a role that gave her much pride and joy. She was an excellent mom – supportive, kind and funny. We will miss her dearly. Her second passion was in secondary education teaching high school English language arts and reading. Her longest tenure was at John Marshall High School, in what later became known as the “Camelot” years. She also worked briefly with student teachers at the university level. Upon retirement, she continued to consult with professional writing programs and especially enjoyed assisting family and friends with essays for college, scholarships, grants, graduate school, and even medical school. She could always be counted on to proofread and edit – forever spouting grammar and punctuation rules or MLA/APA formatting guidelines. (This apple fell far from that tree!) Above all else, Jimmie was always interested in keeping up with the lives of family members and anyone she called friend. If she hadn’t heard from you recently, you may recall being on the receiving end of an oh-so-gentle nudge to fill her in on all that was happening. Although Jimmie is no longer with us in this life, we know that she lives on in the memories of those she touched. Please feel free to visit with family and friends at Mission Parks Funeral home on Friday, October 21, 2022 to share your stories and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in memory of Jimmie Kanning to one of the following organizations – • UTHealth’s McGovern Medical School, Department of Neurology. https://giving.uth.edu/neurology-giving Please leave the Designation as Neurology Chairman’s Gift Account and in Tributary Information select In memory of Jimmie Kanning. We hope to have a lecture on aphasia and/or cranial amyloid angiopathy given in her name. • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – in honor of her son, Chris https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=2078&language=en

Tributes

Jimmie McGraw Kanning

February 12, 1939 - October 13, 2022