NEWS

A new bench on the Davidson College campus honors the memory of Tish and Lawrence Kimbrough (News of Davidson photo)

Family and friends gathered on the Davidson College campus yesterday for the dedication of the Tish and Lawrence Kimbrough memorial bench.  Martha Johnston, Tish’s sister, was the primary organizer of the dedication with help from other Johnston and Kimbrough family members and Davidson College.

Tish Johnston Kimbrough at the Davidson College Sesquicentennial Luncheon in Johnston Gym in 1987. (photo by Jane Campbell)

Martha spoke about what it meant for her family to grow up in Davidson, being closely tied to the Town, Davidson College, and Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC). It is fitting that the memorial bench is located near DCPC on campus where Tish and Lawrence were married in 1965. Two members of their wedding party, John Woods and Margaret Arbuckle, were at the dedication.

President Doug Hicks recalled memories of being a student and tutoring the Kimbrough sons – Pat and Will – in exchange for dinner every Tuesday night. Doug remembers a loving family that welcomed him into their home. Former President, Tom Ross, also spoke of his fond memories of the Kimbrough family when he was a student. John Woods remembers growing up with the Kimbrough family and that Lawrence mentored him in his early banking career. Other speakers recalled what an impact Tish and Lawrence had on Davidson and how they nurtured friendships.

Tish died in October 2024, and Lawrence died in January 2025.

Tish had one of the longest family connections to the Town of Davidson. Tish’s parents, Dr. Frontis Withers Johnston and Mrs. Lucy Martin Currie Johnston, were married in Davidson in 1936.Tish was born in 1942 followed by her brother, Currie, and her sister, Martha. Tish’s mother, Lucy Martin Currie Johnston, was born in Davidson in 1910 to Dr. Archibald Currie and Mrs. Lucy Battle Martin Currie. Mrs. Lucy Currie was born in Davidson in 1876. Tish was known in the Dean of Students Office, where she worked for Dean Will Terry, for always being helpful to students and having a wide and welcoming smile. 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.

Similarly, Lawrence is remembered as “having an energetic spirit, a keen mind, and an empathetic heart. In his time, he worked hard, achieved success, and gave generously. Overall, Lawrence made an impact and touched the lives of many in Mecklenburg County and beyond.Lawrence was born in 1941 to John Thomas Kimbrough and Mary Ardrey Stough Kimbrough, Lawrence graduated from North Mecklenburg High School and from Davidson College. After serving for two years as a lieutenant in the United States Army Airborne School at what was then Fort Benning in Georgia, he married his high school sweetheart, Letitia Dabney Johnston, on Sept. 4, 1965, at Davidson College Presbyterian Church.

After he earned his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law in 1968, Lawrence primarily made his mark in banking, a field in which he worked for four decades. He served as President and CEO of First Charter Bank from 1986 to 2005. Lawrence was instrumental in the founding of The Pines retirement community and worked continuously as a director from its inception until 2015. He was a devoted member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and helped lead fundraising campaigns and search committees. He also served on the Davidson College Board of Trustees and numerous other organizations in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.

When you are walking on campus, take a moment to rest at this bench, and remember the legacy of Tish and Lawrence who contributed so much to our Town.