The Rev. Billy Gerald Kimbrough, 85, of Columbia, Tenn., passed away on Friday, June 3, 2022, at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia. An Arkansas native, he was the son of Jim and Fannie Kimbrough and a graduate of Batesville (Ark.) High School, Arkansas College and then Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Leota Sue Brightwell, for 67 years.
He pastored churches in Arkansas (Wheatley, Stuttgart, North Little Rock, Scott, and Alma) and Alabama (Moulton) before retiring and moving in 2000 to Columbia. A year later he began a 16-year stint there as pastor to Senior Adults at First Baptist Church.
Known to family, friends and acquaintances as Papaw or Bro. Billy, he was small in stature but respected for his kind, gentle, and humble spirit, along with a servant’s heart and quick humor. He was not one to sit still for long, and even despite his failing health in recent months, he never quit loving being outside; he was on his lawnmower in his last week and in his garden within three days of his death.
Visitation with the family will be 4-6 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at First Baptist Church in Columbia, with a Celebration of Life service to follow immediately. Officiating will be the Rev. Mike Dawson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Kathy Diane, who died shortly following birth.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Gerald (Lydia) Kimbrough of New Albany, Miss., and Anthony ( Michele) Kimbrough of Columbia; one sister, Maxine Rockwood of Memphis; four grandchildren, Matthew (Hannah) Kimbrough of Tupelo, Miss.; Kyle (Sarah) Kimbrough of Hattiesburg, Miss.; McKayla (Joel) Haler of Knoxville; and McKenzie (Jackson) Lindley of Maryville; and five great-grandchildren, Evelyn Claire Kimbrough, Nora Kimbrough, Gracie Kimbrough, Anna Banks Kimbrough, and Abner Haler.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Ships, a ministry to which Papaw was extremely fond.
Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
