Janie Kinard

Janie Blackwell Kinard, 97, died on December 11, 2019, at Sunrise Senior Living (Lilburn).
Born May 10, 1922 in Monticello, Georgia, Janie was the youngest of six children of the late Henry Walker Blackwell and Mary Farrar Blackwell. She attended Hopewell Baptist Church where she remembered her oldest sister teaching the Sunday School Class, enjoying many “singins,’” revivals”, and “dinners on the grounds”, and where she was married.
Janie graduated from high school in Monticello and worked at the hometown drugstore and the War Pricing Rationing Board. In 1945 she married James Robinson Kinard (J.R.), and they moved to Atlanta where Mr. Kinard began his career as an accountant and then a CPA; Janie worked at his side until he died.
While their 3 children were in school, she volunteered in the Clinic at Briarcliff High School, and as a Girl Scout leader. As their children grew up she continued to work with her husband but had more time for volunteering at Clairmont Presbyterian Church, at DeKalb General Hospital as a Pink Lady, and the Toco Hills Community Alliance. In addition, she served for two years as Recording Secretary of the Atlanta Presbytery.
In 1992, J.R and Janie built a lake house in Monticello and spent almost every weekend commuting to “Our Place.” They planted prolific vegetable gardens and joined the Monticello Presbyterian Church. Following J.R.’s death in 2001, Janie re-joined her beloved Clairmont Presbyterian Church and served on the Congregational Care Team and the Sanctuary Guild. At the age of 80 she was elected as a Deacon of the Church with her duties centering on visitation. Her weekly delivery of flowers, and visits with shut-ins, the sick, and hospitalized members of CPC, brought comfort and kindness to many; her visits were always welcomed. Janie served as a Circle leader at CPC for 4 years, and also enjoyed reading; card games of all kinds, including bridge (she learned at the age of 81) poker (played weekly at Sunrise), and “Manipulation” (she learned at KingsBridge).
In 2012, Janie moved to KingsBridge Retirement Community where she lived independently and made many wonderful friends. In June 2016, due to medical concerns, Janie moved to Sunrise Senior Living—a community she loved and in which she thrived. She was loved by the staff and other residents, and was known for the beautiful red hair with which she was born and continued to maintain throughout her life.
Thanks primarily to the efforts of Kay Gower and the Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Marietta DAR, Janie was recently inducted into the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Janie attended the funerals of many friends during her lifetime. After each, she would speak with amazement about the myriad accomplishments spoken of in the services and comment that she felt she had not accomplished anything during her life. Although Janie often commented that she thought she had not accomplished much in her life, her children reminded her that God sees her heart – a heart that leaves for her children and grandchildren a legacy of faith, strength, perseverance, and positive attitude.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Kinard Miller (Wyn) of Valdosta, Georgia; son, David Marion Kinard (Jean) of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and 3 grandchildren, Will Miller, and Patrick and Melissa Kinard, all living in the Atlanta area. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, one brother-in-law, Jack Johnson, and 3 sisters-in-law, Mary Cox, Glenda Kinard, and Sarah Kinard.
Janie was preceded in death by her son, James Edward (Jimmy) Kinard; her husband of 56 years, James R. Kinard; and her five siblings—Grace Blackwell, Louise Duffey, Myrtice Tuggle, Marie Henceley, and Ernest Blackwell.
Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2019, in the sanctuary of Clairmont Presbyterian Church followed at 11:00 by a celebration of life service for Janie led by Reverend Owen Stepp.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Monticello Westview Cemetery in Monticello, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be sent to Clairmont Presbyterian Church, 1994 Clairmont Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033 or to Hopewell Baptist Church Fund, c/o The Bank of Monticello, PO Box 29, Monticello, GA 31064.
Arrangements are in the care of A.S. Turner Funeral Home in Decatur and Jordan Funeral Home in Monticello.