Shirley Joan Hunt Kimball

August 27, 1933 - February 8, 2018
Shirley Joan Hunt Kimball
Service Date:
Monday, February 12, 2018 11:00 AM
Service Location:
Brighton Fifth Ward

Shirley Joan Hunt Kimball, 84, Salt Lake City, died on February 8, 2018. Joan was born in Salt Lake City on August 27, 1933, to Bowman Franklin Hunt and Genevieve Beardall Hunt. She grew up in Xenia, Ohio, where much of her time was spent serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joan had fond memories of meeting in the homes of other church members, teaching Junior Sunday School, and playing the piano for sacrament meeting, mutual activities, and other meetings during her teenage years. Joan graduated from Xenia's Central High School where she participated in band, orchestra, choir, and the Girls' Athletic Association. She then attended Brigham Young University and received her B.S. degree (Education) in 1960. During those years, she also served as a full-time missionary in the Great Lakes Mission. In 1962, while working on the archeological crew excavating the Nauvoo Temple site, Joan met James L. Kimball, Jr., and they were married on June 7, 1963, in the Salt Lake Temple. Following her marriage, Joan spent many years teaching in the public schools of Iowa and Utah. She taught at various elementary schools in the Granite School District and at the Reid School in Salt Lake City. She was a beloved teacher who cared deeply for her students. Throughout her life, Joan's first priority was her family in whom she took great pride. Joan served faithfully in the LDS church in positions including Relief Society president and ward chorister. Following retirement, she and Jim served an inner-city mission where they provided support and love to many new friends. With her husband, Joan acquired a life-long love for Nauvoo, especially the City of Joseph pageant. Many of Joan's favorite memories were of performing with her family in the pageant. While Joan struggled in her final years, she took comfort in her family, especially in the care and love provided by Melissa Gardner and Mary Kimball.

Joan is survived by children Melissa Kimball Gardner, Salt Lake City, James L. Kimball III (Mary), Salt Lake City, Richard I. Kimball (Suzanne), Mapleton, Mark C. Kimball (Kirsti), Salt Lake City, Amy Kimball Caro (Carlos), Atlanta, Georgia, and Brett Raymond (Becky), Kaysville; twenty grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, husband James L. Kimball, Jr., and brother John W. Hunt. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 11:00 AM with a viewing beginning at 10:00 AM at the Brighton Fifth Ward, 7600 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City. Interment to follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 "N" Street.