Geneva Kimbrough

Geneva Kimbrough passed away February 22nd, 2012, at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Geneva was born on April 10th, 1919 to William “Bass” Brown and Mary Phelps, in Mount Rozell, Alabama. In 1921, the family moved to Giles County, Tennessee. She grew up in the Oak Grove and Chestnut Grove area. On December 25, 1935, she married Marshall Kimbrough, of Aspen Hill, Tennessee. They had two children, William Louis Kimbrough, and Mars Emmitt Kimbrough.

Geneva and Marshall moved to Louisville, Kentucky, then to Chicago, Illinois in 1938. There Geneva was a nurse’s aid at Oak Forest Hospital for twenty-one years. She joined the Mt Calvary Baptist Church and was a long standing member. She moved to Battle Creek, Michigan and helped found the Family And Children’s Services in 1965. In 1988 she moved to the Walnut Grove Apartments in Covert, Michigan. She was a very family oriented person, liked to lend a hand to help others, especially children, and truly enjoyed cooking for others. She spent many a summer night at her brother’s farm in South Haven, tending the barbeque pit until the early morning hours.

Geneva is pre-deceased by her mother and father - Mary and William Brown, sisters and brothers – Pharrillow Dudley, Emmitt Brown, Corrina Manning, Phelps Brown, and Gladys Branch, son - William Kimbrough, granddaughters - Debra Kimbrough, and Kathy Wagy.

She is survived by her son Mars Kimbrough Sr; grandchildren, Carol, Brian, Kevin (Sue), Jacque (Vince) Saucer, and Mars Kimbrough; nephews and niece – Kenneth, Kevin, and Mary Branch. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren, one great, great granddaughter, and many cousins.