Dr.Crawford Woodie Kimble

Rev. Crawford W. Kimble, the Pastor Emeritus of the historic Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, passed away on Friday February 21, 2014 at the age of 95. He became the Pastor Emeritus of the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in 1994 after serving as pastor of the church for thirty years. A U.S. Army veteran of WW II, Rev. Kimble attended Prairie View A&M University, Lincoln University School of Journalism, and The Union Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served as the editor of the Houston Informer Newspaper and the Dallas Call Newspaper. Rev. Kimble became the fifth pastor of Good Hope in 1964, which was founded in 1872 in the Freedman's Town/4th Ward section of Houston, where the first freed slaves settled who came to Houston after receiving word of their freedom on June 19, 1865. Rev. Kimble pastored the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church through the challenging years of Jim Crow, desegregation, urban renewal, gentrification and the regional financial collapse of the late 70's and early 80's. Through it all Good Hope remained a vibrant congregation whose commitment to change the world never wavered. Rev. Kimble led the congregation from its former meeting place in Freedman's Town/4th Ward in March, 1981, to the new worship facility he led the congregation to build at 3015 N. MacGregor Way. After retiring from Good Hope in January, 1994, Rev. Kimble began an extensive ministry as a lecturer, instructor and writer, influencing pastors and ministers around the country. He authored 6 books and volumes of essays and sermons and became affectionately known as "The Sage" for his wise words and counsel. Additionally he served as Pastor of Seniors at the Brook Hollow Baptist Church, where Dr. Ralph Douglas West is the founding Pastor. He also lived and worked in a facility named in his honor, The Crawford W. Kimble Senior Living Center. A joyous celebration of his life and legacy will be held this weekend, beginning Friday. A viewing and service will be held Friday, February 28, 2014 from 6-9 PM at the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3015 North Macgregor Way, Houston, TX, 77004. The funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11 AM, also at Good Hope. Come celebrate the life of this servant of The LORD.