Ouita Beech Kimbrough

Ouita Beech Kimbrough died Sunday, June 5 in Montgomery, AL after “a long and good life” at the age of 90. Born in Mobile, AL on July 17, 1931 to William Putney Beech (1907-1972) and Maudie Lee Atchison (1906-1934). She was preceded in death by her loving husband John Gordy Kimbrough, M.D., stepmother Irma Hartley Beech, brothers William “Mack” Beech, Sr., Ray Marshall Beech, Sr., and grandchild Evan Hart Kimbrough.

The majority of her life was spent in Alabama between Mobile and Washington Counties frequenting the homes of her Grandmother Lena W. Beech (Hobson), Aunt Carrie Bell “Kitty” Atchison Anderson (Hobson) and Aunt Lola Beech Davis (Chickasaw). She married her husband John on July 5, 1953 in Chatom, AL.

She graduated from Washington County High School where she was a majorette, received a BS (Math) from Alabama College, Montevallo, AL, in 1951 when she was only 19, and an MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL. While John was in the military they traveled to Hawaii, Washington, DC and Germany. She loved to travel, read and sew.

As a teacher, mentor and tutor of math and reading she touched many lives. When she noticed a need for a reading program, she and John became instrumental in bringing Dr. Charles Shedd to Montgomery to start his reading program in Alabama. After John’s accident she was his constant companion, stalwart advocate, and loving caregiver. Her no nonsense manner and feisty spirit will be fondly remembered.

Surviving her are four children: Susan Kimbrough Henry (Bill), Sally Kimbrough McAuley (Wesley), John Gordy Kimbrough, Jr. (Bea Covington), and Sigrid Beech Kimbrough; seven grandsons: Andrew Joseph Henry (Katharine), Alexander Michael Henry, William Humble Kimbrough, Wyatt Avery Kimbrough (Stacey Ann), John Kimbrough McAuley, Robert Wesley McAuley, and Michael Patrick Lame; and great grandson: Thomas William Henry.

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In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the John G. Kimbrough and Ouita B. Kimbrough Endowed Award for Faculty Sabbaticals or the Margaret R. Sturgis Endowed Award for Excellence in Economics. Checks should be made to the Auburn University Fund, in the memo/for line include either fund name. Gifts should be sent to Auburn University Fund, 317 S. College Street, Auburn, AL36849.

The private graveside funeral was Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Alabama Heritage Cemetery. Celebration of Life will be held at the funeral home Saturday, September 10.