Jimi B. Wilcox (Lansing)

Mrs. Jimi Brooks Wilcox Chapin lost her battle against Stage 4 Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer on her 44th Birthday, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. We were on borrowed time from her diagnosis in July 2024, as the cancer had spread to her Liver, Lymph Nodes, and Bones. This was Jimi’s second round of being a Breast Cancer Warrior; her first diagnosis was in April 2012. She also battled MS and Graves Disease yet faced every day with a positive outlook and a contagious spirit. While Jimi may have lost her battle, we are so proud of her courageous fight!

Jimi was born on Thursday, March 5, 1981, in Lansing, Michigan. She is the middle daughter of Allan and Teresa Sonfilippo Wilcox of Lansing, Michigan.

Jimi graduated from Lansing Catholic High School, Class of 1999, where she played basketball and was part of the track & field team. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice in 2003. Jimi worked at Reno’s Sports Bar, starting in 2004 as a bartender/server and worked her way up to general manager of Reno’s West until 2015. She briefly worked at 5/3 Bank before starting with the State of Michigan (MSHDA) in Blight/MIHAF and then moved to Neighborhood Development where she earned the prestigious recognition of Employee of the Year in 2024. Jimi continued working remotely until the week she started Hospice Care at home, on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Affectionately known as Sissy Jim, Jimi was the absolute most beautiful, sweetest soul. Her fur babies, Kane and Karma, were her pride and joy. She has never met an animal she didn’t love, often rescuing and caring for hurt, sick, or abandoned creatures. She was laid back, kept a level head, and always showed up when she was needed most. She was down for anything, at any time! She was silly and had the humor of a 12-year-old boy. Her giggling was so contagious. She loved being inappropriate during serious moments and freely gave hugs and kisses after a drink or two. Jimi loved her friends fiercely, was a proud Michigan State University Spartan Alum, die hard Detroit Lions Fan, and enjoyed playing pull tabs at Art’s Bar. She was Jayce and Emersyn’s biggest fan in anything they did and would often brag about their accomplishments. She was a talented acrylic painter, loved tubing down rivers, and was well traveled, including visiting England, France, many Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and her favorite, Australia. Anything Purple was her favorite.

Jimi leaves to cherish her memory, spouse Thomas Chapin, of Lansing, Michigan; her beloved dogs that were her children, Kane and Karma. Jimi was extremely close, deeply connected, and was a “Second Mother” to her nephew, Jayce Cannon Campbell and niece, Emersyn Raquel Torres, both of Lansing, Michigan; stepchildren, Joshua (Samantha) Strong, Devin Strong, and Rihanna Strong. Jimi was a proud Nana to three beautiful grand babies, Nico Steven Strong, Sophia Marie Strong, and Reh’Miah Kay Marie Brown. Sisters, Alli Wilcox, and Niki (Chris Collins) Wilcox, both of Lansing, Michigan and many fur nephews and nieces. Grandparents, Wayne and Jaxine Wilcox, of Lake City, Michigan; father-in-law, Bart Chapin; sister-in-law, Ashley (Derek Draves), many aunts, uncles including special uncle, Leland Walker, and many cousins. Special friends that have become family over the years, including Hannah (Josh) Perkins, Morgan Welch and niece, Olivia Wing, Stephanie (Charles) Jarvis and nieces Alyssandra Jarvis, Ashlynn Kenney, Victoria Kenney, and Lillian Jarvis, Kailey Brown, and Eric Harris.

Jimi was proceeded in death by her grandparents; James and Erma Sonfilippo, Vivian Graham; aunts, Nancy Sonfilippo Walker, Molly Wilcox, and Margaret Hughes; mother-in-law, Suellen Chapin, and brother-in-law, Guillermo Vadell-Torres.

Fly High, Sissy Jim. We will always cherish our time spent together. We feel so lucky you were ours to love. We love you, WAY PAST FOREVER.

Team Jimi, Forever. 💕