Writing these final words describing our mother is the greatest honor, and the greatest challenge, of our lives. Our mom was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 Woman and now we, her children, arise and call her blessed, truly believing that “many women do noble things, but she surpassed them all.”
Together with a host of angels, we were blessed to embrace our precious Mama, Mary Kathleen (“Kat,” aka “Mamaw Kat”) Williamson Kimbrell over the past week as she journeyed homeward. She passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024, at Hospice of West Alabama.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theron Williamson, her husband, Cecil O. Kimbrell, her sisters Delmarie Sanford and Mae Harbin, brothers Johnny Williamson and Billy Williamson, brothers-in-law Leslie Sanford and Bill Harbin, sisters- in-law Merlene Williamson and Anna Jean Hebbler, sons-in-law Andy Potts and Waylon Tittle and grandson, Aaron Potts. She also lost her son, Jonathan Kimbrell, in a tragic accident when he was only 19 years old, and our mother has hungered for this, her heavenly reunion with him, for almost 30 years.
Survivors include children Cynthia Potts Tittle, Robert Kimbrell (Carol), Anita Hamlett (Casey), Jason Kimbrell, and grandchildren Adam Potts (Jennifer), Mary Darden (Jon), Peter Kimbrell (Lauren), Alyssa Schenk (Thomas Craft), Katie Kimbrell, Andrew Jonathan (AJ) Kimbrell, Jackson Kimbrell and Landon Hamlett, step grandchildren, Seth Morris and Kayla White (Jeremiah) and Jennifer and Kimberly Tittle. She also is survived by three great grandchildren, Jordan Paul (JP) Schenk, Renee Darden and Harrison Kimbrell, two step great grandchildren, Morris and Eden White, her sisters Jo Ann Sanford (Herman), Hilda Sue Kimbrell (Carl) and Linda Skelton and brother-in-law, Billy Kimbrell (Nell), sister-in-law, Doris Williamson, and a multitude of additional extended and cherished family.
Mama taught others by her actions to bring glory to and prioritize God, and to love unconditionally.
As a mother, she had a unique ability to mold the character of her children and to gently prod us toward our individual callings. She knew when to pull us near to share our problems over a piece of pie at her kitchen table, and when to lightly nudge us from under her wings. In full disclosure, each of us—in our own way— found comfort in a lifetime connection to the frazzled ends of our Mama’s apron strings until the horrid dementia began tearing her from our grasp.
As a servant, she taught Bible classes and served in other church roles for as long as her mind allowed, but she was most impressive at home. She cooked like an accomplished chef, handled the cattle and farm like a young farm hand, cleaned like a maid and loved her family heartily like the amazing mother and wife she was committed to be. She could not protect us from every storm but she taught us how to ride them out with dignity and grace. She was strong and resourceful. Even if the only single vehicle available on the farm was Dad’s old beat-up one cab work truck, Mom would not hesitate to load all five children on that one bench seat to make it to whatever “crucial” 4H or sporting event was scheduled that day. Our Mama was simply put – her children’s superhero. We look back now and wonder how our limited budget kept all of us so well fed and clothed (she even ironed Dad’s work hats and hankies) while leaving her with just a few dresses to rotate through. Mom never complained. More surprisingly is the
fact that our Mom would rock those few dresses in a way that today’s supermodels would envy. Until she took her last breath, other people commented on Mama’s natural beauty. From earning high school beauty titles to waking up in hospice care with the perfect coif, Mama’s outside beauty was reflective of the overflowing beauty from within.
There is simply not praise enough. We know she was not perfect, but Mama was perfect for us and we ache now for our family reunion one day on the other side.
Lastly, as a treasured child of God, Mom built our home upon the Rock and because she took us— sometimes dragging us in tow— to church every service, her children are forever bound together in unwavering faith in the knowledge that this is not “goodbye” but merely “travel safe and we will see you soon, Mom.”
Pallbeaerers will be Peter Kimbrell, Adam Potts, Landon Hamlett, AJ Kimbrell, Jackson Kimbrell, Jerry Harbin, and Steve Harbin.
Honorary Pallbearers will be John Darden, and JP Schenk.
Please join us in celebrating her life on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Visitation will be held at Concord Baptist Church in Fayette, Alabama at 2:00 pm followed by the funeral at 3:00. Bro. Scott Davis will be officiating the service. Norwood-Wyatt Chapel wil be directing the service. We have all been so impressed with the quality of care of Hospice of West Alabama that the family would appreciate memorial gifts to support that entity or the Jonathan Kimbrell Memorial Scholarship at Bevill Community College in Fayette, Alabama.
