Keri Lynn Amis Cosmich
Keri Lynn Amis Cosmich (“Kiki”, “Queenie”) was a generous, vibrant, supporting, and loving wife, mother, and friend to all who crossed her path.
She was born in Laurel, Mississippi on a very cold January 10th, 1962 to Ann Curtis Amis Gilmer and Travis Amis. Keri grew up in Brandon, Mississippi alongside her loving big sister Mitsi Tigrett who will be the first to brag about her early life accomplishments.
She danced her way into people’s hearts at Ballet Mississippi and went on to dance as a high stepper at Hinds Community College before packing her bags and moving to New York and later Philadelphia to dance at the School of American Ballet. She then moved back home to Mississippi where she taught ballet and jazz at Mississippi Ballet Theater and founded two jazz companies “Simply Jazz” and “Keri Amis’s Dancers” who performed at local fundraising events. She carried her love for dance through her life, teaching impromptu classes for anyone at any time.
In 1988, one of Keri’s best friends and fellow dancers, Cassandra, introduced her to a law school classmate of hers named John Cosmich. Keri and John instantly hit it off but decided to date in secret for a few months before letting their friend group know. Keri would describe John as goofy and grouchy and loved to tell stories about their early days of dating, including the time he spent hours at a claw machine at the bowling alley so he could win her a bear that said “I love you” on it instead of just saying it himself.
They went on to marry on December 12th, 1992 in Biloxi, Mississippi surrounded by friends and family. They quickly had three children in three years – Alex, Isabelle, and Sophia – to whom keri dedicated her whole life. She loved her kids loudly, never missing a chance to tell them she was proud of them or to share their accomplishments with the world, big or small. She extended this love to all those around her and never met a stranger. She created a cozy and “yummy” home filled with candles, flowers, and a warm meal. When you sat at a stool across the kitchen counter from her, she had a way of making you feel safe and like you could do anything you set your mind to. She nurtured friendships throughout her life always boasting that she met her best friend when she was 12 years old. She led with her heart and touched more lives than we will ever know through both simple and grand gestures.
Keri is survived by her husband John Cosmich; her children, Alex Cosmich (Natalie), Isabelle Hawthorne (Matt), and Sophia Cosmich (Max Bedford); her sister, Mitsi Tigrett; a host of nieces and nephews; her precious grandchildren Isla Hawthorne, Shepard Hawthorne, and Ruby Hawthorne; and a series of lifelong friends.
A funeral service will be held on July 1st, 2025 at Brandon First Methodist Church at 12 pm with visitation starting at 10 AM.