My Mom’s Obituary -

Patricia Kimbley Harrell, 74, of New Braunfels formerly of Beaumont, Texas, passed after a 14 month battle with metastatic breast cancer that metastasized to the bone, surrounded by her loving, devoted husband, three daughters and oldest grandson on April  22, 2021.

She was born July 26, 1946 in Amarillo, Texas to Rollie Nathan (Bill) and Betty Gene Kimbley of Dumas, Texas. Patt was a graduate of Dumas High School, Class of 1964. She was beloved by all and was awarded Student of the Year, Class Favorite, served as National Honor Society Chaplain, sang in the student choir, in fact was Choir Queen and was heavily involved with the First Baptist Church youth group.

She attended Texas Tech University where she was a member of the Texas Tech Choir and found her passion ministering to children through mission work through the Texas Tech Baptist Student Union.

While at Texas Tech, she met the love of her life, Charles “Butch” Howard Harrell. They were married on July 15, 1967 in Dumas, Texas. They then moved to Houston, Texas, for Butch to earn his dental degree at University of Texas Dental Branch of Houston. Patt completed her BA in Business at the University of Houston while working full time as Butch completed dental school.

Patt and Butch then moved to Beaumont, Texas where Butch set up his dental practice and raised their three daughters. Patt became very involved with her community and served as Debutante Chairman of the Beaumont Symphony Women’s League in 1994 and President of Junior Forum for one term. She also served on the Texas Dental Auxiliary Board, as PTA President, and in many service organizations. She was most passionate about serving through her church with children’s ministries in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, choir and numerous committees. She strove to model her faith to everyone’s lives she touched.

Patt was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 1986 and survived to raise her daughters. Her prayer was to see them get married and to know and love her grandchildren. She reached her goal and now her grandchildren fondly call her “Marmie”.

In 2017, Patt and Butch moved to New Braunfels to build their dream home and Butch retired in 2019. Their home has become a beloved place for their family celebrations and gatherings.

Patt was a model example of strength and humility with unwavering faith in God and a generous heart. She would bring lightheartedness with her quick wit. She was the ultimate planner and made every event and celebration special. She was a committed wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She was filled with grace, love and service to her family, her church, her friends and her community.

Patt is survived by her husband of fifty-four years in July, Charles Howard Harrell; children, Paige Harrell Carpenter and her husband Edward Wade Carpenter of Beaumont, Texas, Blythe Harrell Grates and her husband Frederick Ryan Grates II of Dallas, Texas and Megan Harrell Bickel and her husband, Brian Robert Bickel of Georgetown, Texas; grandchildren, William Harrell Carpenter, Clayton Edward Carpenter, Cole Everette Bickel, Cooper Taft Bickel, Quinn Ann Bickel, Rylan Harrell Grates and Lyla Suezann Grates; sister, Beverly Kimbley Goff of Grapevine, Texas, brothers Gary Lee Kimbley of Lubbock, Texas and John Douglas Kimbley of Beaumont, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rollie Nathan Kimbley and Betty Gene Kimbley and her brother Billy Nathan Kimbley.

The family would like to thank Leah Hiett with Aspen Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Bob Birdwell, Dr. Henry Williams and Dr. Abram Trevino.

A celebration of Patt’s life will be at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th at Harrison in Beaumont, Texas on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. with a visitation Saturday, April 24 from 4-6 p.m.

In New Braunfels, Texas, a celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Oakwood Baptist Church 2154 Loop 337 New Braunfels, Texas 78130.

Her cremation arrangements were handled through Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home, New Braunfels, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Texas Family Resource Center in Beaumont, Texas c/o Patt Harrell PO Box 7881 Beaumont, Texas 77726, Some Other Place in Beaumont, Texas c/o Patt Harrell to 590 Center Street 77701 and Oakwood Baptist Kids Ministry c/o Patt Harrell at 2154 Loop 337 New Braunfels, Texas 78130.