Patricia Simpson Kimmel

Patty was born in DC to Wayne and Floydeen Simpson on August 30, 1952. She went to school in DC, then graduated Plantation High School in Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Stetson University, Deland, Florida. She married Thompson Kimmel, and had 3 children, Shawn, Steven and Kaitlin, before his death in 1996. She married Richard Freeman on May 11, 2011 at their Yacht Club in Solomons, Maryland.

She was President/CEO for the Belvoir Federal Credit Union, located in Woodbridge, Virginia, which served over 26,000 members worldwide. Under her leadership for over twenty years, the credit union grew to over $320 million in assets, and, more importantly to her, was awarded one of the best places to work by the Credit Union Journal in 2015 and by the Virginia Business Group for 2014 and 2015.

Patricia worked in the credit union movement for over 30 years and had extensive experience with strategic planning, innovation, technology platforms, marketing, mentoring, operations, finance, teambuilding and collaboration. She served as President of the Northern Virginia Managers Association, President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Credit Unions, Board member for the Credit Union Service Company of Virginia, LLC, Vice-Chair of UniTrust Financial Services CUSO LLC, Board member for the Metropolitan Area Credit Union Management Association, She also served as a member participant for various NAFCU, DCUC and VCUL committees. She served as Chairman for the Defense Credit Union Council Board and was the Army Representative, Board Vice Chairman for the Armed Forces Financial Network, and Board member for COMPASS For CUs, LLC.

Outside of work she served as the Board Alumni Representative for Stetson University Northern Virginia Chapter, and as the Treasurer and then President of the Orange Hunt Estates Civic Association and served as Activities Chair for several All-Night Graduation Parties at West Springfield High School.

After her youngest son, Steven, was killed by a drunk driver in 2018 she volunteered for Mothers Against Drink Driving in North Carolina and Virginia, as a patient advocate and fundraiser. She was involved with the Compassionate Friends organization, including editing the monthly newsletter with her husband Richard.

She was a passionate sailor who navigated the Chesapeake, ICW, Caribbean, and the deep waters in the Atlantic. She and Richard were members in several sailing clubs, wrote sailing blogs, and received numerous awards, including SMSA top cruiser award in 2019, 2016, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2007, and an award for sailing 1000 miles in a season in 2011.

Patricia is preceded in death by her first husband Thompson Kimmel, son Steven Michael Kimmel, and mother and father Floydeen and Wayne Simpson. Patricia is survived by her husband Richard Freeman, daughter Kaitlin Kimmel, son and his wife Shawn and Anne Marie Kimmel, and grandson Ronan Michael Kimmel.

Patricia Kimmel’s celebration of life will be on February 12 at 1pm and held at Messiah Methodist Church (6215 Rolling Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152) led by Pastor Reggie Tuck. There will be a reception area available an hour prior to the service for people to gather. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fisher House Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She loved these foundations and the missions they support.

The family of Patricia wishes to extend our sincere thanks to our Pastor Reggie Tuck, Drs. Favarette, Gavora, Justin Van Klein, and Elkas, and Capitol Caring Hospice.