Pastor Harold Charles Kimble

With heartfelt sympathy, we announce the earthly transition of Pastor Harold Charles Kimble of Gadsden, who went from labor to reward on Monday, April 14, 2025 at the age of 77.

A LIFE OF SERVICE AND LOVE
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Pastor Harold Charles Kimble

Pastor Harold Charles Kimble, affectionately known as “Pastor K,” was a man who lived his life fully dedicated to God and community. Born on June 22, 1947, to Howard Kimble and Marie Rogers Kimble, he was educated in the Gadsden City School system, attending West Gadsden Elementary and Carver High School until 1965.  Harold received his GED in 1965, while enlisted in the United States Army.

At the age of twelve he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He was baptized by the late Rev. E.L. Gary of the First Baptist Church Alabama City, where he developed a deep early conviction in Christ. Pastor K’s faith was the cornerstone of his lifelong mission.

From his formative years, Pastor K was committed to the pursuit of justice and the welfare of others. An active participant in the Civil Rights movement during the early 1960s, he answered a call to service early by leaving Carver High School to join the U.S. Army in 1965. During his deployment to Vietnam, he served honorably as a medic and worked in military intelligence—a testament to his courage and dedication. It was during this pivotal period that he met and married Eleanor Wilson, with whom he welcomed their only child, laying the familial foundation that would support his lifelong ministry.

After his military service, Pastor K continued to enrich his life through education. He attended Gadsden State Junior College. In 1972 he was awarded the Third Class RAdio-TV Broadcasting License, a discipline that perhaps presaged his later innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel. His passion for music also came to light as he lent his rich baritone vocals to the First Baptist Church Alabama Male Chorus, famously singing “Only Believe,” which touched the hearts of many.

In 1982, Harold relocated to Washington, D.C., where his professional journey led him to a role in the U.S. Capitol Building. The following year, Harold embraced his divine calling into the Christian ministry, and was ordained in 1987. Harold returned to his hometown and home church to deliver his first sermon in the spring of 1983. In March 1983 he began as Pastoral Care Director at the Healthcare Institute in Washington D.C. and remained there until relocating to Gadsden, Alabama in June 1987. His academic journey continued at the Washington Baptist in Washington, DC, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology Degree (BTh) in 1987. While in Washington, he engaged in diverse ministry outreach, including Pastoral Care Director at the Healthcare Institute, a local D.C. nursing home—a prelude to his transformative work back in his hometown.

Returning to Gadsden in June of 1987, Pastor Kimble began pastoring as Interim Pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and remained here until he was called to assume the pastorship of Mt. Zion Baptist Church Attalla, Alabama on January 1,1988. For an impressive 37 years, he faithfully shepherded his congregation, boldly preaching the unadulterated Word of God—even when it meant challenging the status quo. His courageous decision to license Sis. Mary Lee as a Minister of the Gospel in the early 1990s heralded a legacy of nurturing new spiritual leaders, many of whom have gone on to become influential pastors and leaders themselves.
Pastor K’s commitment extended far beyond the pulpit. In 1988, recognizing the growing challenges and problems plaguing the Gadsden area youth, a trend he had already witnessed during his time in Washington and Maryland, Harold, along with Walt Higgins founded a non-profit youth development corporation to address these issues. This transformative, award-winning organization was Quest for Excellence (QFE). Quest’s dual mission was (1) to encourage young people to develop a positive mental attitude, and (2) to motivate them to achieve their full potential. QFE consisted of six phases: Academics, Images, Jobs, Sports, and Talent, and in 1989, the Fighting Back Initiative Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse was added. The final phase was instrumental in gaining approval of the one-cent sales tax, which financed the New Etowah County Judicial Building and Etowah County Detention Center. 
The Fighting Back Initiative was also the catalyst for the innovative mentoring program in the Gadsden City Schools System.These mentors came from all walks of lives, judges,doctors, lawyers, nurses, retired teachers and stay-at-home moms, and committed to one hour per week to spend time with a child selected by the school administration in activities ranging from tutoring, eating lunch, tossing a ball or just conversing. Many mentors followed their mentees throughout middle and high school and beyond. QFE efforts also contributed to Gadsden City Schools being awarded coveted Magnet Schools Assistance Program funding to designate several schools  in the East Gadsden Community as Magnet Schools.
QFE, provided assistance to more than 9,000 youth and their families in Etowah County, and earned numerous awards, including national recognition, a two-time recipient of the prestigious Points of Light Award from both Presidents Clinton and Bush. This program was often imitated but never replicated, and while in hiatus, is still remembered as a treasured piece of Gadsden’s history. 

Pastor Harold Charles Kimble was a born leader whose influence reached far and wide through his active service. In 1994, he was elected for one-term, as president of the Etowah County SCLC. Pastor K served on numerous boards and was affiliated with multiple organizations. Whether serving on the Gadsden Waterworks and Sewer Board for more than a decade, or working with organizations such as Love Your Neighbor Ministry (LYN), Building up the Body Ministries, New South Coalition, NAACP, SCLC, Go Tell It World Wide Ministry (Southeastern District Presbyter) , Full Gospel Church Fellowship, Leadership Alabama, Alabama Association of Alcoholism and Drug Counselors, All-American City, Inc., Etowah-Gadsden Area Chamber of Commerce, Etowah County Industrial Development Authority,  or the Northeast Alabama Chamber of Commerce, his legacy was marked by a blend of spiritual fervor and civic responsibility.

In March of 1999, Pastor K embraced a new chapter by marrying Grace Black, with whom he continued laboring in God’s vineyard until his passing.. His passion for spreading the Gospel was evident in every facet of his life. Generously investing his personal resources, he ensured that Mt. Zion was well-equipped with modern technology to reach souls across many barriers. Even during periods of personal health challenges, he remained a tireless evangelist, frequently sharing Jesus’ love and inviting those he encountered to embrace the hope of Christ. His commanding presence and distinctive greetings—“Hello brilliant, intelligent, world changer” and “I feel almost as well as you look”—brought warmth, encouragement, and a genuine smile to all who crossed his path.

Pastor K was the recipient of a plethora of awards, a few of those include, The Outstanding Minister of the Year in 1993, The Distinguished Community Service Award from the Gadsden Jaycees, 1993, The Community Service Award from the Hillcrest Baptist Community, The Outstanding Religious Leader Award from Healthcare Institute, Washington, D.C. (Two Consecutive Years).

Harold was preceded in death by his father, Howard Kimble; his nephew/brother, Howard Keith Kimble; his brother, Alvery Williams,  and his sister, Alice Young.

Pastor Kimble leaves behind a network of cherished family members and dear friends who will carry his legacy forward. He is survived by his loving wife, Grace Black Kimble, Gadsden, AL; his loving and devoted daughter and care-givers Yolanda (Howard) Griffin of Southside, AL; his step-son, Dwayne Crowder of Nashville, Tennessee; his sister, Annette Borden; his brother, Danny (Patricia) Kimble both of Gadsden, Alabama; his sister-in-law, Clara Williams of Florissant, Missouri; and his brother-in-law, Alan Young, Gadsden, AL. His memory lives on in his grandchildren, Jordan Kimble-Juddine of Saks, AL, Joshua Juddine of Atlanta, GA, Kayla Crowder of Birmingham, AL; his great-granddaughter, Jaidence McCord, Saks, AL, and he was anxiously awaiting the newest addition, great-grandson, M.J. White, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends—including his special friend and armor bearer, Allie (Pete) Kelley.

Pastor Harold Charles Kimble’s life was a testament to unwavering faith, deep community commitment, and a relentless pursuit of spreading the Gospel. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to walk in the light of Christ, pursue excellence in service, and remain steadfast in the call to be a blessing to others.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pastor Harold Charles Kimble, please visit our floral store.