Joanna Garnett Wilkirson

Mrs. Joanna Lea Garnett Wilkirson, age 58, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Monday 5:25 in the afternoon on November 3, 2025. She was born on October 4, 1967, to Clovis Lee Garnett and the late Josephine ‘Jo’ Garnett in Lexington, Kentucky.

She was a wife and homemaker. She loved her husband. She was a caregiver for her father. She loved helping and doing for others and truly enjoyed lifting people up. She loved her dogs, Skeeter, Dexter, Peaches, and Lola. She would relax most afternoons sitting on the back porch in the sun, reading a book, scrolling on the phone, playing with her dogs, or enjoying the sun. She was a passionate fan of UK basketball. Joanna and Robert’s first date was to a UK Basketball game in 1996. She was a big fan of Donnie Osmond and, in July of 2023, was able to fulfill a lifelong goal of seeing him in concert. She enjoyed doing diamond art as a hobby and getting her nails done. And she deeply, deeply loved her family and friends; they were the core of her universe. She loves spending time with them and visiting, especially during the holidays.

Words can not describe Joanna better than her last act on this earth, where she heroically gave of herself as an organ donor to help save hundreds of others.

Joanna is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Robert; her father, Lee; her brother-in-law, Steven; her sister-in-law, Kim; her nephews, Alex and Jack; her nieces, Ashley and Madison; her cousins; and many dear friends.

A graveside memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Athens Cemetery, 6295 Athens Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY 40509

The family asks that, instead of flowers or monetary donations, if it is within your beliefs, you follow Joanna’s example and consider becoming an organ donor. For more information, contact Network for Hope at networkforhope.org