Wesley Thomas Kimbrell, Sr.

Wesley “Wes” Thomas Kimbrell, Sr., age 96 of Augusta, Georgia entered into rest on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at his residence in Augusta, GA.
Wes was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to the late Mr. Lonnie Thomas Kimbrell and Mrs. Bessie Blessing Kimbrell Gresham . He joined the Navy at age 17 in 1943 to help in the war effort. Wes proudly served his country in the Navy on the USS Laub and USS Kendrick, spending the majority of his time in Italy after the Kendrick was damaged by a German torpedo bomber. Wes enjoyed recounting his time in Italy, where he learned to dance thanks to an Italian woman, who he claimed wanted to marry him. He happily returned home single to Augusta, where he met his future wife, Inez Isabell Anderson. They were married in 1948. Wes first worked for the Augusta Chronicle as an ad salesman, going on to have many different types of sales jobs.
Wes was a people person. He loved his family, friends, and the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a member of the Hill Baptist Church, Augusta, and was enthusiastic about his Ruth Bible Class, his pastor Ron Jones, and giving to missions. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 205. Even into his 90s, he went dancing at the 205 every Friday night, where he was popular as a dance partner. Everyone was happy to see Mr. Wes come in the door. He said that most of the men wouldn’t dance, so he made it his goal to make sure all the ladies had a chance. He reluctantly gave up his Friday night outing in 2020 when the Covid shutdown ended his favorite social activity, which was very tough for him. His daughter and caregiver, Carol, along with his grandson Zachary and granddaughter-in-law Jessalyn made sure that he was as happy and comfortable as possible during his confinement. He was preceeded in death by his wife Inez Isabelle Anderson Kimbrell and son Wesley Thomas Kimbrell, Jr.
Survivors include: His children: Carol Kimbrell Gilmore, Augusta; Barbara Kimbrell Gilchrist (William “Bill”, Jr.), Rock Hill, SC; and Charles Leonard Kimbrell (Jennifer), Augusta; his grandchildren: Jennifer Leigh Le Meunier (Ludo), La Celle, France; Wesley Thomas (Tommy) Kimbrell, Ill (Kristy), Beech Island, SC; Alison Gilmore Forbes (Joshua), Windermere, FL; Zachary Kimbrell Gilmore (Jessalyn), Waynesboro, GA; Kimberly G. Weed (Jennison), Gilbert, SC; Matthew William Gilchrist, Sr. (Carly), North Augusta, SC; Paul Brennan Gilchrist (Tally), Las Vegas, NV; Miriam Jesse Gilchrist Cox (Grey), Lancaster, SC; Jonathan Charles Kimbrell (Brooke), Baltimore, MD; Kayla Kimbrell Almon (Peter), Charlotte, NC; and Grant Richard Kimbrell (Naomi), Augusta; his great grandchildren: Wyatt Cooper Le Meunier, Neil Le Meunier, Liv Le Meunier; Andrew Thomas Kimbrell, Wesley Hamilton Kimbrell, Tristen Beard, and Kelsey Beard; Abigail Nicole Forbes, Jacob Alexander Forbes, Caleb Isaiah Forbes, Gabriel Owen Forbes; Caroline Ruth Weed, Noah Mitchell Weed, Micah Ridley Weed, Elliott Stephen Weed; Eva Isabelle Gilchrist, Matthew William "Beau" Gilchrist, Jr., Sadie Ann Gilchrist, Shepard Logan Gilchrist; Paul Brennan Gilchrist, Jr.; Alexa Cox; Katarina Isabelle Almon; his niece Joanna Mitchell of Augusta, and his great nephew, Adam Zoltan Kiss of Augusta.
Memorials in Wes’s honor may be made to The Hill Baptist Church, 2165 Kings Way, Augusta, Georgia, 30904. Designate The Hill Baptist Mission Fund.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 25 at 11:00 A.M. at The Hill Baptist Church. The visitation will be held at the church, one hour prior to the service.