- Date Of Birth: May 5, 1933
- Date Of Death: October 23, 2022
- State: Mississippi
Ms. Varnell Ford Kimmons, 89, transitioned on Sunday. October 23, 2022, at The Sanctuary Hospice House, in Tupelo, MS.
Varnell Ford Kimmons was born May 5, 1933, in New Albany, MS. She was the youngest daughter of Benjamin Franklin Ford (B.F.) and Cornelia McClodden Ford (C.E.). She married Willie James Kimmons on July 6, 1959. They were the parents of two children.
Varnell accepted Christ at a young age and was a life long active member of Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She served as the Announcements Clerk and was a member of the Scholarship Committee giving scholarships to worthy students each year who made excellent grades in school and who continued their education by going to college.
She attended and graduated from B.F. Ford High School in New Albany, MS, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS, where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the 1950’s, and obtained advanced degrees from Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA and the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. After graduating from Alcorn State University, she returned home to work at B.F. Ford High School as the school’s Librarian. Because her spouse was in the United States Air Force, Varnell moved and worked at Mitchell High School as a Librarian in Colorado Springs, CO for 16 years before her husband’s retirement. After retirement they once again returned home to New Albany. Upon returning to New Albany, she worked at W.P. Daniel High School (now New Albany High School) as the Librarian for twenty-seven years, until she retired in 2001. Varnell worked as an Educator a total of forty-three years of her life.
Varnell enjoyed working and serving in her community to enrich the lives of everyone she encountered for many years after retirement. She was a member of various civic organizations which included: UCTS/B.F. Ford School Reunion Executive Board, Pilot Club International, Habitat for Humanity, LIFT, Inc., Union County Hospital Auxiliary volunteer, Union County Heritage Museum volunteer, Zoning Commission, Union County Election Commission and the Retired Teachers Association.
Left to continue her legacy is her daughter: Cheryl Davis (Hugh), three grandchildren, Julian M. Brewer, Kayci B. Kimmons, Kyle B. Kimmons, and a daughter-in-law, Katie Bearden, many other relatives and friends who will honor her work and service to her church and community.
She is preceded in death by her parents, B.F. and Cordelia Ford, Willie J. Kimmons, her son, Keith D. Kimmons, brother, Benjamin Ford, Jr., her sisters, Inez Ford Tolbert and Vivian Ford.
