Mr. Joseph Kimpson

Joseph Elvin Kimpson, whom we affectionately called Dad and Daddy, and whom family and friends knew as brother, Uncle El, cousin, Deacon, friend, and faithful prayer warrior, was born on September 27,1932. He graced us with his blessed presence for 91 years. Having been born of a midwife at home, his birthdate was written in a Bible which was misplaced and that date forgotten. As a result, we eagerly celebrated this glorious soul on August 16 every year. Daddy, in true form and fashion, never corrected us and never complained, and we honored his beautifully full life as was appropriate, for there was always much to commemorate. With his signature grace and dignity, Daddy peacefully transitioned to be with Jesus on Monday, December 11, 2023. Daddy was born the third of four children, in Calhoun County, South Carolina, near St. Matthews, South Carolina, to Melton and Ruth Kimpson. He was the human incarnation of love and faith, showing us through deed and word how to treat each other, how to love, how to forgive, and how to dream. Our brother Max perfectly describes Daddy as a dreamer who had the determination to see those dreams into fruition. After attending Calhoun County's Briarhead Elementary School, graduating from Lakeview High School in Lexington School District 2 in West Columbia, and graduating in 1954 from Benedict College in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, he began his professional career as a teacher. He then served as a guidance counselor and an assistant principal. In the midst of his adult life, he was drafted to briefly serve in the United States Army. He matriculated for further graduate study at South Carolina State University, where he earned a Master’s degree, and also earned an Administrative Certificate from Converse College. He completed additional studies at the University of South Carolina. Daddy served God and his community with determination, seriousness, and enthusiasm. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Bethlehem Center, the Ebony Credit Union, the Piedmont Girl Scout Council, and the South Carolina Greater Columbia Literacy Council. He also served as a member of the South Carolina Education Association; the South Carolina Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, and the Briar Hill Masonic Lodge #304; and, as state President of the Future Teachers of America, now called the Student NEA). He pledged the Epsilon Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and is also a life member of the Fraternity. He is also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and served his alma mater as a Southern Region Vice President of the National Alumni Association, Benedict’s Alumni Club #2, and the Advisory Board of Benedict’s MATE program. He was a faithful member of Second Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Deacon board, Deacon Emeritus, and sang with the Senior Choir, the Cavaliers Men’s Choir, the Sanctuary choir, and the Fifth Sunday Choir. He was also a member of Second Calvary’s Brotherhood, served as Director of the Board of Christian Education, served as an assistant Sunday School teacher, and was an honorary Usher Board member. Daddy was the writer and editor of the church’s first newsletter, Tidings. Daddy’s decades of service to humanity included 37 years as an educator and administrator, having retired from the South Carolina State Department of Education as a supervisor in the Department of accreditation for 22 of those nearly four decades. In this capacity, he evaluated the total educational program of more than 100 schools each year, served as a PET Trainer, and made crucial decisions regarding requests for experimental programs. Of all his lifelong accomplishments, we believe that Daddy’s most prized thoughts were around his family— his trio of children whom he called his heartbeats: Pamela Ruth (Milton), the youngest daughter of the trio; Maxwell Joseph (Letetia), his middle son; and Crystal Alicia, his eldest daughter. His siblings were the loves of his life—older brother Milton Kimpson (Aunt Wilhelmena); his older sister Jestine Kimpson McFarland Utsey; his baby sister Rudean Kimpson Bush (Uncle “Bush” Monroe); his nieces and nephews— Milton Gary (Audra, Andrea, and Amanda), Marlon (Marleigh and Little Marlon), Marc (Macy), Myron (Sam, Ben), Melril (Melril Kai), Marcell (Anita, Morgan, Rori, and Chelsea), Michael, and Nancy Lynn; and his grandchildren Matthew Vincent, Adam Michael, Malachi Earl; Carmen Jordan, Maxwell Whittington; Maya Corin; and, Garrett, Winston, and Stanton. He also enjoyed taking walks with his great-grandson Andre Michael. Just seeing any of us brought a dimpled smile, hearty laughter, and a contented countenance. He loved rumbling around on the floor with his young kith. And his presence was duly noted and anticipated at the annual Melton and Ruth Kimpson dinner, where he belted out rich Santesque “ho, ho, ho’s,” humorously requiring each of us to repeat the greeting before he would hand over any card or gift he was distributing from under the tree. As a brother, Daddy was the one upon whom his siblings depended as a soft place to land. They loved each other unconditionally, were true friends, never held anger towards each other, and were there for each other through thick and thin. They could call Daddy at any time of the day or night, and he would make his way toward them. The same held true for his children, and it was nothing for any of our cousins to see “Uncle El”, share a laugh, and see by his presence that he loved and supported them wholeheartedly. As a quartet, Daddy and his siblings sang their way through college, singing at churches and on the radio, making just enough to pay their tuition and book fees for each semester. Uncle Milton called him “our Michael Jackson” and they each sang their respective vocals with the voices that they consistently used to glorify God. Daddy dreamt of singing, which is why while he and siblings were picking cotton as young sharecroppers, his older brother Milton could yield 200 pounds of cotton to his less than 100. When asked what he’d rather be doing, he’d proclaim, “I wanted to sing!” And that he did, on choirs, in the car, at home, and whenever his talents were requested. He and our Uncle Milton, Aunt Teen (Jestine), and Aunt Rudean even cut a record with their signature song being “He’s My Friend”. He also demonstrated how dreams could be manifested. His parents— our grandparents who had a fourth and fifth-grade education— were insistent that their four children would matriculate to college, and they all did just that. He dreamed of healthy, God-fearing, college-educated children: mission accomplished; and healthy, loving grandchildren: mission accomplished. As a deacon since the age of thirty, he dreamed of a formal fellowship of deacons who would pool their intellectual resources and lend strength to their dedication to God. That dream led him to the founding of the Greater Columbia United Baptist Deacons for the state of South Carolina and he led this organization for 10 years. Dad’s ability to dream represented vision and we proudly accept the challenge to continue dreaming of better for ourselves and for our fellow man. He represented the love, courage, and tenacity it takes to make a difference while we have the privilege to do so here on Earth. He showed us that dreams do come true. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to our beloved church’s Christian Education department: Second Calvary Baptist Church, 1110 Mason Road, Columbia, S.C. 29203; or to the Melton and Ruth Kimpson Endowed Scholarship fund, which was created to assist with book fees for students of his beloved alma mater Benedict College. To make online donations: 1. Go to http://www.benedict.edu/give 2. Click on payment to an existing endowed scholarship 3. Type Melton and Ruth Kimpson Endowed Scholarship To mail your gift, send a note to credit your donation to the Melton and Ruth Kimpson Endowed Scholarship to: Benedict College Office of Institutional Advancement 1600 Harden Street Columbia, S.C. Acknowledgments and Love: The deacons of Second Calvary Baptist Church The trustees of Second Calvary Baptist Church Second Calvary Baptist Church musicians and choir members Second Calvary Baptist Church ministers and family members Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Ashley Williams, Executive Director of Calyx Living, and staff and caretakers, including Freda, Adé, Crystal, Renee, Charisma, Danita, Nada, Ashley, Ronnie, Kasey, and his nurses; and Maidis Koger of Koger Home Care, Darlene, Naesha, Yvonne; and, Kishua and Nkwane. We also thank the staff of Transitions hospice care services for their professional and compassionate service to our father during his final weeks