Dorothy Kimbrell

Dorothy Kimbrell passed away December 19, 2021 at Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach, Florida at the age of 93. She was one of nine siblings born to Vester and Lucile Smith in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Growing up in the Great Depression, living on a farm made sure all had food to eat. She met and married the love of her life, Jesse, in 1946. He was in the Air army during WWII and then the Air Force. This gave them the opportunities to live in many places including Japan twice. She was a fiercely independent woman, once driving from Tampa, Florida all the way to Oakland, California with three young children in an un air conditioned station wagon. (no interstates!) She achieved both her bachelors and masters degrees from USF while working full time and raising her family. She taught full time in Hillsborough County high schools for many years. Jesse passed away in 1992 and she retired not long after that. “Too busy to be bored” in retirement, she was a member of several organizations-Alpha Delta Kappa, Honorary Teachers’ Society, Pi Epsilon Business Ed Society, Hillsborough Vocational Association, Certified Teachers Association, Florida Business Ed. Association, USF Alumni Association, Phil Deltas of Phil Delta Kappa, The Red Hat Society, Atlantic Beach Garden Circle and Tampa Quilting guilds. Friends and family have long enjoyed the fruits of her very talented quilting. She was predeceased by her husband, Jesse and her son Robert (Kathy). She is survived by her son, Don (Karen), daughter, Julia (Jeff), daughter in law, Kathy and four grandchildren, Scott, Cory, Trevor and Taylor. The family would like to thank the staffs of Fleet Landing and Community Hospice for their care during her final months. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local hospice association.