Donald Ray Kimbrough

Donald Ray Kimbrough, 72, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at NMMC in Tupelo.  Donald was born on September 22, 1951 in Amory to the late James Ray Kimbrough and Dorothy Easter Phipps.  Just before his 18^th birthday, Donald married the love of his life, Sherry Ford on June 7, 1969.  Shortly thereafter Donald enlisted in the United States Army.  His service and career in the Army would take him to Vietnam, Korea, Germany and many more places both abroad and stateside.  Donald served as a K9 Handler in Vietnam and also a Drill Instructor at Fort Benning, GA.  In 1990 he honorably retired from the Army and looked forward to civilian life back in Monroe County.  Donald and Sherry owned and operated ALSCO repo business and they also owned and operated the Front Porch Restaurant in Sulligent, Alabama.  

Everyone that knew Donald, knew that his life revolved around serving and doing for others.  This is due to him giving his life to the Lord.  Donald was a longtime member at New Hope Baptist Church.  He faithfully and dutifully served as a Deacon for many years.  Donald always had the best interest at heart for the congregation.  He had a great love for people and he , along with Sherry helped numerous people throughout the years. His service to the Lord and dedication to the congregation at New Hope will forever be remember in the hearts and minds of those he served.

If you were around Donald for any amount of time, it didn’t take long to learn that he had 2 other great loves in his life in addition to his love for God, family and his country.  The other 2 were fishing and hunting.  He was blessed to catch bass all over the country during his many tournaments that he fished in.  Donald instilled his love for fishing in his boys and grandsons and watched Jake compete in many fishing tournaments.  

Family was everything to Donald.  To see him and Sherry together was absolutely the display of what true love is.   To Greg and Kevin, Donald was a source of love, discipline, a teacher, mentor, friend but most of all, he was the greatest dad anyone could have.  When it came to the grandkids there wasn’t anything Donald and Sherry wouldn’t do for them, especially his 2 great granddaughters.  He proudly wore the title of Pops.  Donald leaves behind a legacy among his family that will forever stand the test of time.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sherry Kimbrough; sons, Greg Kimbrough (Robyn) and Kevin Kimbrough; grandchildren, Dalton Kimbrough (Lisa), Jake Kimbrough, Dallten Honeycutt and Lowery Taylor; great granddaughters, Kinley and Bayleigh Kimbrough; brother's, James H. Kimbrough (Delores), Jimmy Kimbrough (Edna Ann) and David Brown (Fay); sister, Debra Frye (Max); sister in law, Kay Austin (Larry); brother in law, Bo Ford (Kathy); a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, James Ray Kimbrough and his mother, Dorothy Easter Phipps, Donald  is preceded in death by his stepmother, Wilma Kimbrough; step fathers, Robert Petty and Larry Phipps; brother, Jerry Kimbrough; father and mother in law, Clovis and Mable Miller Ford.

Funeral Services for Donald will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at New Hope Baptist Church with Bro. Tim McMillan and Bro. Chuck Moffett officiating.  Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Greg Kimbrough, Kevin Kimbrough, Dalton Kimbrough, Jake Kimbrough, Ryan Wilson and Jamie Fowlkes.  Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Box, Willie Wilson, Mike Pickle, Jeff Capps, Phillip Davis, and Dallten Honeycutt.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 15 at Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home in Amory from 5-8 PM.  Donald will lie in state at New Hope Baptist Church on Thursday from 1 PM until the service hour.

Donations may be given to the New Hope Baptist Church Building Fund, 60371 Hatley Detroit Rd, Amory, MS 38821.

Condolences may be shared at clevelandmoffettfuneralhome.com.