Funeral services for Minnie Jean Kimbell are scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2024, 2:00 PM, in the chapel at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral home in Ruston, LA. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 PM at the same location. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston Immediately following the service.

Minnie Jean Kocurek Kimbell was born on July 1, 1929, in the family home in Wallis, Texas. She was the daughter of Edwin John Kocurek and Rosa Rosara Sabrsula Kocurek. Rosa was a native-born Czech and immigrated to America in 1902 with her family.

Minnie is preceded in death by her husband of 50 plus years, Charles Raymond Kimbell, twin sister, Edna June Johnson. The twins were born in separate months, Edna June on 30 June and Minnie on July 1. She is also preceded in death by siblings Alvin Kocurek, Margaret Terry and Edwin Kocurek, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Rita Guthrie Moore

Minnie is survived by one daughter, Peggy Ann Kimbell and a son, Donald Kimbell and wife, Katie, two grandsons, Bradley Scott Kimbell and wife, Alicia, and Daniel Ray Kimbell and wife Kendal, five great grandchildren, Gaige Kimbell, Logan Kimbell, Tylar Kimbell, Bryce Kimbell, Forman Kimbell and many nieces and nephews and longtime friend, Tommy Moore.

Her first job was picking cotton. Her father Edwin owned a grist mill in Wallis Texas. He died at an early age and the operation of the mill was continued by the family. During WWII both Edwin, Jr. and Alvin were called to service overseas. Rosa, Margaret, Edna and Minnie ran the grist mill during the boys' absence. Alvin was a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge. He suffered shell shock after returning home. The family business fell to Edwin.

Ray and Minnie were married in 1949. He was a mortician. Their first home was in a funeral home in Ringgold. Minnie worked at the Ordinance Plant in Minden. When the family moved to Ruston in 1958, she went to work at William A Marbury & Co. that later became Commercial Union. Both were members of Emmanuel Baptist Church from 1958 to 1974.

Ray went to work for Cameron Iron Works leaving the funeral business behind. He was transferred to Shreveport in the early 70s. They moved to Haughton, but Minnie continued to work in Ruston and for 14 years drove from Haughton to Ruston and never missed a day of work. In Haughton they were members of Haughton First Baptist.

Ray and Minnie were avid campers. They owned a motorhome and travelled extensively after retirement.

Minnie was what could be described as silently incredible. She was a working mother. But she never failed to have a good supper on the table even after a long day at work. She also took care of the household duties.  That was a remarkable task.

The one most important thing about Minnie is that she was a Christian. She made sure that her children were raised to be Christians. She was a regular attendant at church and supported her church with her offerings. She taught her children their first hymn and bible verse, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know and John 3:16

If anyone could enter Heaven's Gates by their good works, it would be Minnie Kimbell. But we know, and she knew, that it was not what you have done but about Who you know. Minnie knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Today she is with Christ in a place of rest. No sorrow, no pain, no tears. She is awaiting Resurrection Morning.  Minnie's life was a testament to her beliefs.

Funeral services are being handled under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel, Ruston, LA.