Lawrence Kimbrough

Lawrence Maury Kimbrough, 83, a lifelong resident of Davidson, graduate of Davidson College, and skilled promoter of the region's development as a farsighted banker and philanthropist, died Jan. 10, 2025 of advanced dementia. 

Lawrence had an energetic spirit, a keen mind, and an empathetic heart. In his time, he worked hard, achieved success, and gave generously. Overall, Lawrence made an impact and touched the lives of many in Mecklenburg County and beyond.

Born in Charlotte on Jan. 17, 1941 to John Thomas Kimbrough and Mary Ardrey Stough Kimbrough, Lawrence graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1959 and from Davidson College with honors in 1963. After serving for two years as a lieutenant in the United States Army Airborne School at what was then Fort Benning in Georgia, he married his high school sweetheart, Letitia Dabney Johnston, on Sept. 4, 1965, at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. 

After he earned his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law in 1968, Lawrence primarily made his mark in banking, a field in which he worked for four decades. 

Beginning in the Trust departments of both First Union and Piedmont Bank, he made the move to First Charter National Bank in Concord, where he served as President and CEO from 1986 to 2005. Under his leadership, the 100-year-old local Cabarrus County institution expanded into a regional banking powerhouse in the greater Charlotte area and Western North Carolina. By the time First Charter was acquired after he retired, the small local bank had grown into a billion-dollar enterprise. Always held in high regard by his peers in business, Lawrence was appointed to President of the North Carolina Bankers Association for the 1996 term. 

Lawrence served the Davidson community in many ways. He was instrumental in the founding of The Pines retirement community and worked continuously as a director from its inception until 2015. He was a devoted member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and helped lead fundraising campaigns and search committees. He also served on the Davidson College Board of Trustees and numerous other organizations in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William Ardrey Kimbrough. His beloved wife of 59 years, Tish, recently passed away on Oct. 28, 2024.

Survivors include his children, Patrick Johnston Kimbrough of High Point and William Frontis Kimbrough and his wife, Colleen, of Powhatan, Virginia; his sister, Patty Kimbrough King and her husband, Richie King, of Davidson; and his brother, John Thomas Kimbrough Jr. and his wife, Carol Kimbrough, of Rockville, Maryland.

Also surviving are his three grandchildren, Mary, Thomas, and Annie Kimbrough; his nephews, Dr. John Kimbrough of Rockville, Maryland and Dr. Lunsford King of Wilmington; and his nieces, Mary Kim Folds of Davidson, Lucy McDonald of Ithaca, New York, and Katherine M. Falconi of Davidson.

The family is profoundly grateful to the loving and compassionate caregivers who faithfully assisted Lawrence and Tish in the last years of their lives, especially Donna Smith, Tancy Henderson, Coleman Henderson, and Joyce Davis.

The family will host a visitation in Lawrence's honor on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road in Huntersville.