Tracy Yvonne Kimbrough

Tracy Yvonne Kimbrough, age 56, of Bartow, Florida, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Lakeland Good Shepherd Hospice.

Tracy was born on March 31, 1969, in Gainesville, Florida, to Mary and Leigh Kimbrough. She spent her life rooted in Florida, living in Sarasota, Lakeland, and Bartow, places that shaped both her strong sense of community and her lifelong dedication to service.

A proud graduate of Lake Gibson High School, Hillsborough Community College, USF and Florida Southern College, Tracy remained deeply committed to personal growth and leadership throughout her life. She devoted 38 years of service to CPS, where she was known for her compassion, professionalism, and tireless advocacy for others. Her work was never just a job-it was a calling.

Tracy was a woman of wide-ranging interests and generous spirit. She cherished time with family, enjoyed mystery and Hallmark movies, had a love for history, and found joy in traveling and cruising. She was deeply involved in her community, giving her time and heart to organizations including Camp Fire, Rotary, Polk Education Foundation, Lakeland Volunteers in Public Schools, and the Bartow Chamber. She was especially proud of mentoring young professionals, always eager to encourage, guide, and uplift the next generation.

Those who knew Tracy will remember her as someone who always put others first. Her humor, warmth, and unwavering commitment to service left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Tracy is survived by her mother, Mary Kimbrough; her beloved niece, Lydia Marek; her cousin, Tammy Whatley; and countless friends-truly everyone she met-who were touched by her kindness and grace.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leigh Kimbrough, who passed away February 9, 2011 and her brother, David Kimbrough, who passed away on February 4, 2023. She was also preceded in death by her cherished dog, Mimi Girl.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lakeland Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Lakeland Memorial Funeral Home.

The Tracy Kimbrough Memorial Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation has been established by her loving family to honor Tracy and her legacy by supporting the nonprofit organizations that were so very dear to her heart.

Three words that best capture Tracy's life are: Service Above Self.