Patricia Jean Kimble

Patricia (Pat) Jean Kimble, age 76, died on Jan. 7 from a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was a longtime resident of Crestview, Fla., having lived there for 37 years. Pat faced each day with strength, grace, and the same dignity that defined her life.

Born on March 27, 1949 in Chicago, Ill. and raised in Chillicothe, Ill., Pat carried with her a deep sense of faith, compassion, and purpose that guided her both personally and professionally. She was a devoted Catholic, serving as a Eucharist Minister and Reader at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview for many years. Pat always sought to see the best in others and lived her faith through kindness, patience, and service.

Pat received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill. and her master’s degree in special education from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Pat dedicated her career to education, working initially in Chicago with hearing impaired students, communicating through American Sign Language. She spent three years at Blessed Trinity Catholic School in Ocala, Fla. and retired from Northwood Elementary in Crestview, after nearly 25 years, inspiring, influencing and touching countless young lives and their families along the way.

Above all else, Patricia was a loving wife and devoted mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, John Kimble, her daughter Emily Edmonds Hudson (Jonathan), her granddaughter, Lila, her son, Adam Edmonds, her sister Joan Long and her brother, Tom Kehr. Pat took great pride in her family and found immense joy in being “Gamma” to Lila. She is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Edith Kehr. Pat is also remembered fondly by extended family, friends, former students, and colleagues.

Pat will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her generous heart, her dedication to education, and the love she poured into her family. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched.

The family will hold a visitation on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5pm - 7pm at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home in Crestview and a funeral mass on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church also in Crestview. Following the funeral mass, the family will host a luncheon for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in Pat’s memory at alz.org.  

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