Obituary of Miriam Wanda Boyd Kimbrel

Miriam 'Wanda' (Boyd) Kimbrel of Davenport passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. She was 89 years old.

Wanda was born in Montgomery County, Georgia, on August 31, 1932, to Hubert Boyd and Pearl (Rawls) Boyd. She was the devoted wife to William 'Wayne' Kimbrel. They were married for 65 years upon Wayne's death in 2015.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William, her parents, Hubert and Pearl, brothers Hubert II, Ralph and William, sister Mildred, and her firstborn son William Wayne Kimbrel, Jr.

She is survived by her son Charles Stephen (Ella), daughters Wanda Lee and Dianna Lynn and son Paul Grover. Survivors also include daughter-in-law Nikki Kimbrel and her six grandchildren: Stephanie Peck (Jon), Jamie Kimbrel, Trevor Cox, Audrey Adair-Keene (Sam), Samantha and Taylor Kimbrel. Great-grandchildren are Jackson, William, Grace and Ava Peck.

Wanda and Wayne were married in 1949 and spent the early years of their marriage traveling from base to base as they grew their family while Wayne served his country in the United States Army. Wanda often recounted their years abroad fondly and would tell stories of their lives in Japan following World War II and in Germany.

After many years of traveling and with five children in tow, the two settled in Davenport, Florida where they built a home and lived out their lives. Wanda worked alongside her husband, Wayne, as the receptionist for Seasonall Aluminum Company, Inc., which was family owned and operated for 27 years.

She loved to cook big meals for family suppers, spoil her grandchildren, and read crime mystery novels. She was an inaugural member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church and spent many years serving as an elder in the congregation. She possessed a love for playful competition and was always up for a game of rummy or checkers with her children and grandchildren.

She found joy in simple pleasures and cherished time with family. Her gleeful laugh and pillow-soft hugs will always be cherished and deeply missed. She will forever be remembered by all who loved her.

A graveside service commemorating her life and memory will be held on Friday, April 8th at Davenport Evergreen Cemetery (1917 County Road 547 North) beginning at 1:00 p.m.