Barbara Ann Kimbrough Cole

Barbara Ann Kimbrough Cole died on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, surrounded by her family after a battle with cancer. She was born on August 22, 1938, in Decatur Alabama to Floyd Forrest, Sr. and Venice Sally Miller Kimbrough. Barbara was the 4th daughter of seven children. She has joined her brothers Floyd Forrest Kimbrough, Jr. and William (Bill) Kimbrough, sisters, Margaret Ann Terry, Dorothy Mae Kimbrough, Thelma Kimbrough, and Nelda Faye Segars, their parents, granddaughter, Kellie Ann Bigham, and nephew Jason Harold Segars. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Jimmy William Cole, daughter Angie Durand and husband Doug, daughter Katrina Bigham and husband Andy, son, Ken Cole, and five grandchildren and their families: Amy Durand Schutt, husband Tyler and daughter Scottie; Sally Durand Dealy, husband Nathan, and Baby Dealy; Katelyn Bigham Pages, husband John, and children Kellie and Jackson; Ashleigh Bigham; and Taylor Bigham, wife Mary, and children Aubree, Rosser, Liliann, and Baby Bigham and her brother-in-law Tommy Segars, and sisters-in-law Jean Kimbrough and Marie Kimbrough along with her nieces and nephews- "the Kimbrough cousins" and families.
Barbara was known as Bob or Bobbie to her family growing up, Kitty to Jimmy, and Mamaw to her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many children in the children's programs at church. She was born at home at the Alabama Brick and Tile Brickyard on the Tennessee River in Decatur, Alabama where her dad was the superintendent and so they lived on site. Her parents later moved away from the Brickyard to town when they opened Kimbrough and Sons Grocery Store. The second location of the grocery store included the Kimbrough family's home above the store on the second floor. They moved to the country to a farm after Barbara's dad was diagnosed with cancer and she attended and graduated from Lawrence County High School. She attended Business School in Columbia, Tennessee and then returned to Decatur to work at Sterchi Brothers Furniture Store and then State National Bank as bookkeeper. She met Jimmy on May 22, 1964, at her sister Nelda's wedding, which was also the night of their first date. They married soon thereafter on August 8, 1964, almost 61 years ago.
Jimmy and Barbara raised three children, Angie, Katrina, and Ken. They have lived most of their married lives in Baytown Texas but always referred to "home" as Decatur, Alabama. She grew up actively involved in missions and activities at the Methodist church and joined the Baptist when we became a Cole. Barbara and Jimmy worked together in church ministry from the very beginning, doing whatever was needed in the congregations they served. Barbara stayed home with the children and was active in the school PTO, Girl Scouts, WMU, church children's and music programs, and was just a good neighbor to all. When the kids were older, she returned to work at Brown and Root, where she carpooled with Jimmy for the next 20 years. Together they were active in the volunteer council and gave many hours to various area non-profits, including the Houston Ballet, Houston Area Woman's Center, Junior Achievement, March of Dimes and HISD tutoring. When she retired, she was an active grandmother in her grandchildren's lives and church children's music programs.
Barbara loved having all the family together, both with the children in Texas and the group back in Alabama. Although the miles separated her from her sisters, she remained close to them over the years. They loved Facetime so they could see each other in their own houses when they visited! She loved good food and often cooked large southern meals to share with family and friends. She also loved shopping and finding that good deal, especially if it was a treasure for one of her many collections. From those years on the farm, she loved growing flowers and fresh vegetables. In the last few years when she wasn't able to always tend the gardens, she remained in control by providing clear instructions on tending. She was an avid reader and could often be found reading or working a crossword puzzle. Mostly, she loved the Lord, Jimmy, their children, and all the grand and great grands. She will be missed by all that loved her here until we are reunited in Glory.
We will gather on July 11 at 11:00 am for a memorial service to celebrate Barbara's life in the Westmoreland Chapel at South Main Baptist Church located at 4100 Main Street in Houston.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Children's Music Ministry at South Main Baptist Church.