Kimberly Renae (Baker) Vann

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Kimberly Renae (Baker) Vann, 42, of Lufkin, Texas. Kimberly was born on February 20, 1975 and joined our Lord and Savior in Heaven on Friday, November 24, 2017. She was a glowing testimony of her motto “God’s Got This” as she lived with grace and abiding to her favorite verse of Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” She came to this world as a true gift from God and left with a tremendous testimony of His grace and the fingerprints of God all over her.

Mrs. Vann was born in Lufkin, Texas and grew up in Diboll, Texas where she graduated in 1993 as the class Valedictorian. Mrs. Vann furthered her education at Stephen F. Austin University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Elementary Education. Mrs. Vann was a teacher for Diboll I.S.D. for 20 years. During her time with Diboll I.S.D., she received a Teacher of the Year Award and was given an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Diboll PTSA. She was teaching at Wells I.S. D. at the time of her retirement. She loved teaching and loved each and every one of her students. She had a tremendous passion for reading and music. Many of her most memorable times of her teaching career involved seeing her students’ progress in their reading abilities and performing with her choir students over the years. Most especially dear to her was performing with her choir each year for Veteran’s Day as they honor all who served our great nation. Mrs. Vann was also an accomplished flute player in the Diboll Lumberjack Band, as well as performing in the Texas All State Baptist Band, church orchestras and many special occasions with friends and loved ones. She was a member of Denman Avenue Baptist Church.

Mrs. Vann was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents, Samuel L. and Bessie Petty of Burke; maternal grandfather, Melvin Toney of Lufkin; and paternal grandparents, Marvin Ray and Etta Frances Baker of Diboll.

Her life was cherished by her husband, Paul Vann of Lufkin; daughters, Kaylee and Krista Vann of Lufkin; parents, Bob and Rosemary Baker of Diboll; maternal grandparents, Vernon and Bessie Brown of Pollok; grandmother-in-law, Mary Sides of Forest; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carmen and John Montgomery of Alto and James and Jeannette Vann of Pollok; niece, Amber Hodges and husband Forrest and great-nephew Gauge of Forest; nephews, Derek Montgomery and fiancee’ Kiran Amjad and Caden Montgomery, all of Alto; niece Jamey Hamblet with great-nephew David and great-niece Hannah of Pollok; as well as a host of special aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and loved ones.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Denman Avenue Baptist Church with Brother Charles Roberts and Brother Ron Meadows officiating. Burial will be at Lynches Chapel Cemetery off HWY 294 in Alto, Texas. Family will welcome friends and family for visitation services on Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Denman Avenue Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be John Montgomery, Derek Montgomery, Forrest Hodges, Danny Baker, Craig Coleman, and Donald Capps.

Honorary pallbearers will be Caden Montgomery, past members of the Rocking Jack Choir and Pirate Pride Choir.

The family wishes to thank the many family, friends, coworkers, and Masonic Lodges who have done so much for them throughout these times. Thank you also to the Nurses of Hospice in the Pines, Ms. Justina Bogany, as well as Dr. Carlton Lewis and Dr. Joseph Koch. You were our angels when we needed you most. Thank you also to Dr. Keith Fournier, Dr. Craig Messick, the nurses, and staff who cared for her at M.D. Anderson, as well as Dr. Gerard Ventura’s office in Nacogdoches.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wells ISD Libraries, P.O. Box 469, Wells, Texas 75969, H.G. Temple Intermediate Library, P.O. Box 550, Diboll, Texas 75941, or Hospice in the Pines In-Patient Unit, 1504 West Frank Street, Lufkin, Texas, 75904.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.