Jeri Lynn Tipton

Jeri Lynn Tipton was born March 5, 1943, in Newton, Kansas and entered God’s Kingdom on August 4, 2025. She was the baby girl of 11 children born to Harry and Edna Rose (Dickinson) Garnett. Both parents and all her siblings proceeded her in death.

Jeri attended Newton High School and was a very popular girl throughout school with many friends, graduating in 1961. She was a beauty and all the guys in town wanted to date her, but her brother (Skippy) made sure none of those guys got the opportunity to approach her. However, Samuel Walker captured her heart and after high school; Jeri and Samuel were united in marriage in 1961. Through their union, two children were born (Tania and Daren). They divorced in 1973, and Jeri later married Eddie Tipton in 1974 and to their union a special daughter (Jamila) was born. Even though Jeri and Eddie later divorced, they remained very close friends until Eddie’s death in 2016.

In 1980, Jeri’s very close friend (Judy) convinced her to leave small town living in Hutchinson and move to Kansas City. One of the first things she did was find a church home at Bethel A.M.E. Church and joined in 1981. She loved God and her faith in Him never wavered! Jeri also had the opportunity after high school to attend business school. With her education, she spent many years working in the banking industry and then at Sprint until her retirement in 1998 after 20 years of dedicated service. After her first retirement, she was such a busy bee that she continued to be active and worked at UMB Technology Center greeting everyone that walked through the door with her beautiful smiling face.

Jeri loved music, especially all tunes from Motown! In fact, Jeri and her sister (Brenda which was her partner in crime) would listen to music and dance the night away. She enjoyed watching all sports, but her favorite team was the Kansas City Chiefs. She’d often discuss the games with her sister-in-law (Winnifred). Both believed they were football experts and knew EVERYTHING about the game. When not tuned into sports, she loved watching Family Feud with Steve Harvey as the host of course! She also had a carefully curated collection of miniatures. Jeri was a fashionista and always dressed to the nines! She took pride in her appearance and made sure everything was just right.

Known for her warmth, kindness, and sense of humor, Jeri left a positive impact on everyone she met. Her passing will leave a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and many more.

Her memory lives on with her children: Tania Allen, Daren Walker, and Jamila Edwards (Antowin); three bonus daughters: Shontina Tipton, Angela Nesbit (James), and Milissa Tipton-Dunkins (Bruce); one bonus son: Edward Lemar Tipton (Leslie); grandchildren: Jereme Bernard (Brittany), Latoya Costict (Sergio), Antowin “AJ” Edwards Jr. (Nicole), and Brianna Edwards; great grandchildren: Azula Crook and Zalaina Edwards. She also leaves behind a special sister-in-law, Winnifred Garrett and nephew/brother, Randy Whitmore and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Although Jeri Lynn’s physical presence may no longer be on earth to grace our lives, her spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us.