Benny Edward Kimbrough, 85 of Branson West, passed away Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in Blue Springs, Missouri.

After graduating high school, he served in the Armed Forces.  Benny was a registered nurse in Texarkana, Texas.  In retirement, Benny was a storage unit manager in Branson, Missouri for about 10 years.

Benny was the youngest of eight children and is survived by his sister Alma Jane Bowman, 87, of Morristown, TN; other survivors include Billy Sutton, Step Son, and family of Texarkana, TX; Kay Bohleber, niece, and family of Morristown, TN; Gay Harbin, niece, and family of Morristown, TN; Bennie Rae Kimbrough, niece, of West Plains, MO; Pamela Kimbrough, niece, and family of West Plains, MO; Roger Kimbrough, nephew, and family, of Oklahoma; Barbara Bohanan, niece, and family, of Oklahoma; Dean Kimbrough, Jr, nephew, and family, of Colorado; Jimmy Dean Hembree, nephew, of both FL and MO; Tamie Underwood, niece, and family of Ashland, MO; Eddie Hembree, nephew, and family of Indiana; Deanna Crane, niece, and family of Columbia, MO; Robin Wilson, niece, and family of Columbia, MO; Linda Pool, niece, and family, of Lone Jack, MO; Judy Harper, niece, and family of Conway, AR; Freeman Isaacs, nephew, and family of Conway, AR; Betty Jane Trent, niece, and family of Conway, AR; Deborah McKnight, niece, and family of Conway, AR; Richard Isaacs, nephew and family of Conway, AR; Bernadine Gerhardt, niece, and family of Springfield, MO; Densel Kimbrough, nephew, and family of Springfield, MO; Lanny Kimbrough, nephew, and family of West Plains, MO; and Chuck Kimbrough, nephew, and family of West Plains, MO.

Benny was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Phyllis Joan Kimbrough; by his parents Isaac Brad Kimbrough and Della Mae (Shipman) Kimbrough; his step grandson, Trey Von Sutton; four brothers, Brad Kimbrough, Jr., Feltman Kimbrough, Franklin Dean Kimbrough, and William Jewel Kimbrough (Billy J); two sisters, Thelma Isaacs and Wilda Underwood; his father and mother-in-law, Dale and Louise Phillips; and 2 nieces Cynthia Kimbrough Edwards, and Sharon Kimbrough Bowers; and one nephew, Timothy Kimbrough.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 1:30 pm in Hazelwood Cemetery, 1642 E. Seminole, Springfield, Missouri 65804.

Benny's family has many fond memories of him.  Here are a few:

Kay Bohleber: I remember his sense of humor and his loud and boisterous laugh...and him always looking for a reason to laugh. I believe that was his favorite activity. I also remember the strong and forever love he had for Phyllis. Mom told some stories of their childhood where they were always "best buddies". They were the "two" musketeers. They ran from bulls, broke a feather bed by jumping on it and secretly burned lanterns when it wasn't allowed. Grandpa usually caught them and mom and Benny were made to pull weeds as a punishment. They hated weeds... but could find it funny when Grandpa wasn't looking.

Linda Pool: Benny loved for Ryan to take his 90 lb. Doberman, Jake, to the nursing home where Jake would climb on the bed with Benny to see what Benny had left over from lunch. I remember that just about every story Benny told of his childhood memories with his brothers and sisters became more exaggerated each time he told it. We all looked forward to his visits where we played cards and ate and ate and ate. We would stay up until 3 am re-telling the same stories. When we (his stepson, Billly and I) would call to check on Benny (he lived 3 1/2 hours away from me) and if he didn't answer the phone, we would ask the sheriff to make a well check. The sheriff said Benny would not answer the door. The next day if I reached Benny, I would ask if he heard the sheriff knocking. He'd answer, "Yes, I did but it was after dark so I wasn't going to the door!" Will miss him forever. Rest in peace Uncle Benny.

Deanna Crane: My memory of Uncle Benny (besides the fact that his hair was a dead ringer for Porter Wagoner—his look alike) was those slick slacks, pressed flowing short sleve button up shirts, loafer shoes and him walking around with his hand in his pocket whistling a tune and his laugh and grin—especially when he was being ornery to my mother—trying to make her laugh. (She was determined not to laugh but usually gave in!)

Densel Kimbrough: While I was at K-State in Manhattan KS, '86-'92 my wife and I would drive over to KC quite often to visit Benny & Phyllis and it was always a hoot. They told us stories about when they worked for a conspicuously wealthy, well known business owner, sports team owner, etc. Benny's stories were fascinating. Flying out on their pvt jet to their Palm Springs vacation home - check. Bennie & Phyllis were just cool - easy to talk to, easy to be around, gracious hosts and Phyllis was a *FABULOUS* cook (that was her role with the business owner, Benny was the chauffeur). Benny had a great sense of humor and he and Phyllis just hummed along like they were on the same exact wavelength - she made him cocktails, he lit her cigarettes and they finished each others sentences. They both had movie star looks - we're talking '40s & '50s movie stars so hair was important. We'd pop popcorn and just sit around and talk, and it was all good. I wish life would give us fair warning that it's so fleeting - or maybe it does and we just ignore it. RIP Uncle Benjamin Edward Allen 'Smut' Kimbrough.

Judy Harper: Uncle Benny was a highly skilled domino player. We would play into the wee hours of the morning on Friday and Saturday nights. He was unbeatable and helped me improve my math skills and I thought I was only having fun. We were partners in matches against my parents and other siblings. He was a hoot, especially when someone got mad when they lost! so much fun!!!

Deborah McKnight: When Uncle Benny would come to visit, they would always jump rope with us like teenagers. Lots of Dominos were played!! We would laugh and just have a good time. Mom would make her cocoa cola chocolate cake and good times were had by all.