NEWS

Letitia Johnston Kimbrough

June 12, 1942 — October 28, 2024

Davidson

By all accounts, when Letitia “Tish” Johnston Kimbrough passed away on October 28, 2024 at the age of 82, she had one of the longest family connections to the Town of Davidson.

Tish Kimbrough participated in the DCPC Maloney Sunday School class

Tish’s parents, Dr. Frontis Withers Johnston and Mrs. Lucy Martin Currie Johnston, were married in Davidson on December 22, 1936. Tish was born on June 12, 1942. Three years later, her brother, Currie was born, followed by her sister, Martha. Tish, Currie, and Martha grew up in Davidson, and Tish remained involved in Davidson College Presbyterian Church, at Davidson College, and throughout the wider community until recent years.

Tish’s mother, Lucy Martin Currie Johnston, was born in Davidson on May 28, 1910 to Dr. Archibald Currie and Mrs. Lucy Battle Martin Currie. Mrs. Currie was born in Davidson on October 14, 1876. Mrs. Currie’s sister was named Letitia Womack Currie, Tish’s namesake.

Tish attended schools in Davidson, including the renovated school that now serves as the Town Hall and Community Center. She graduated from Salem College. She married Lawrence Kimbrough, who also grew up in Davidson, earning his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.

Tish Kimbrough with her second born child, Will, enjoying one of her favorite places at the ocean.

They have two sons, William and Patrick. Will reflected on his mother, “Mom passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon after a very long battle with the nightmare of dementia. We are all struggling with her loss in different ways but feel some degree of relief that she no longer suffers. She was an amazing person with a tremendous spirit. Tish Kimbrough was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.“

For a time, the family lived in Durham, while Lawrence went to law school and Tish taught school. They later moved back to Davidson to bring their young family to the beloved town of their own youth.

Tish Kimbrough at the Davidson College Sesquicentennial Luncheon in Johnston Gym in 1987.

While Lawrence worked in the banking industry at Piedmont Bank, and later served as President and CEO of First Charter, Tish was known in the Dean of Students Office for always being helpful to students and having a wide and welcoming smile, as countless photos attest. She was also known as a loyal and warm friend, who was fun and supportive. For many years, she and a group of Davidson women had breakfast together once a week, initially in the college union and then at Bill’s Anchor Grill. They called themselves the “Anchor Angels,” and these breakfasts together became a sacrosanct part of their weeks.

Tish was an avid collector of antiques and became an expert in the field. She sold her treasures at Oak Street Mill in Cornelius and also opened a shop in Mooresville.

In the 1990s, Tish and her family had a scary experience, survived by few. She was the victim of a random shooting while on vacation with a group of friends to Beaufort, South Carolina. The bullet struck Tish in the side of her face, causing a life-threatening injury. The team of doctors saved Tish’s life and did remarkable reconstructive work to her jaw and teeth. She recovered completely and went on to continue her full and busy life.

In her later years, Tish was mostly homebound, but her friends never stopped caring for and visiting her in the townhouse she shared with Lawrence.

Services will be privately held with the family.