Dorothy Kimberly

Dorothy Jean Johnson Fillman Kimberly, age 94, passed away on July 7, 2026 at Avir Nursing Home in Comfort, Texas. Dorothy was born on July 5, 1932, in St. Louis, Oklahoma, to J. F. "Bud" Johnson and Rosie Ann Pugh Johnson. She was the fourth of their children and the last surviving member of her immediate family. On June 4, 1950, Dorothy married Richard "Bill" Billy Fillman. Together they raised four children and built a life centered on faith, family, and love. During Bill's career with Magnolia Oil and later the National Credit Union Administration, the family lived in many communities, including Columbus, Georgia; Ulysses, Kansas; Midland/Odessa, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Amarillo, Texas; Houston, Texas; Austin, Texas; Olney, Maryland; and Bastrop, Texas. Wherever life took them, Dorothy created a warm, welcoming home filled with love and stability for her family. Bill passed away on December 11, 1988, following a battle with metastatic melanoma. In 1991, Dorothy married Rev. Dr. David Kimberly. Together they continued a life of ministry and service, moving as David answered God's call through his pastoral and Director of Missions roles. Their journey together included homes in Bastrop, San Antonio, Corsicana, Big Spring, New Braunfels, Alice, and Bandera, Texas. Through each move, Dorothy faithfully supported David's ministry while extending hospitality, kindness, and encouragement to the many people whose lives they touched. Dorothy worked as a telephone operator in her early married life but took greatest pride in her highest calling as a wife, mother, and homemaker. Church life was always a haven for Dorothy, and she served in many capacities over her lifetime. Dorothy was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and passed the gift of music to all of her children. Dorothy will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family, her gift for making every house a loving home, and the grace and faith that guided her throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, J. F. "Bud" Johnson and Rosie Ann Pugh Johnson; her first husband, Richard "Bill" Billy Fillman; and her siblings, Billy Edward Johnson, and Helen Louise Johnson Lenz, and their spouses. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Dr. David Kimberly; her four children - Richard (Rick) W. Fillman (Brenda Liming) of Granbury TX; Jimmy (Jim) K Fillman (Carla Kurt) of Cascade Iowa; Lisa G Fillman Bishop (Thomas Bishop) of Greenwood South Carolina, and Roger M. Fillman (Diana Burnham) of Smithville TX. Always included in the family are "adopted" son Michael L. Thielen and his wife MaryBeth of Maxwell TX. Also surviving are David’s -children: Suellen Payne (Rob) of Bastrop TX, John David Kimberly (Lacey) of Big Spring TX, and David’s brother Roy Kimberly (Karola)of San Antonio. Between Dorothy and David, there are 19 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, many extended family members and friends. Visitation will take place on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 6-8PM at the First Baptist Church in Bandera, Texas. Dorothy's funeral service will take place at First Baptist Church, Bandera, on Saturday, July 11, 2026 beginning at 10AM with interment at Fairview Cemetery beginning at 3:15PM to 3:30 PM in Bastrop TX.

Dorothy Kimberly

July 5, 1932 - July 7, 2026