A Time to Be Born… Kimba Lenard Clemmons was born on January 16, 1957, in Springfield, Massachusetts to Emra and Doris Clemmons.

A Time to Learn… Kimba received his early education in Springfield, Massachusetts, graduating from Technical High School in 1974. He went on to further his education at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Kimba was always up for a challenge. He was crowned the school’s first-ever “Mr. Benedict.” While at Benedict, he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He would later continue his education at San Jose City College, San Jose, California, Defense Information School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, and Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia.

A Time to Love… Upon graduation from Benedict College in May 1978, Kimba had the opportunity to travel with Benedict’s Concert College Choir to New Providence, Bahamas. There he met the love of his life and soulmate, Marla Machelle Butler. Christmas Day 1984, Kimba and Marla were united in holy matrimony. During their 42 years of union, they were blessed with four wonderful children.

A Time to Worship… Kimba loved the Lord. He gave his life to Christ at an early age. Kimba loved his church family. He had a passion to serve while giving back to others. Kimba always possessed a servant leader spirit. Kimba was a deacon at New Beech Grove Baptist Church for many years. He also served in the Male Chorus and Drama Ministry.

A Time to Labor… Kimba was a man of many talents. He was an actor, a comedian, and a journalist. A few years following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army as a Sports Reporter/Editor Writer for the U.S. Army, Public Affairs Office stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. Kimba toured the world with The Army Soldier Show in 1988. Entertainment was HIS PASSION. Kimba felt “most alive” performing on stage. At the helm of Kimba’s career, he produced and hosted “THE KIMBA CLEMMONS SHOW.” The hour-long entertainment montage featured the hottest personalities in the country and showcased the best amateur performers in the Hampton Roads area. Kimba went on to fulfill many other lifelong dreams and goals, appearing in numerous plays, movies, hosting various shows in the Hampton Roads area, including as an On-Air Personality at WHOV 88.1 with his own talk show “The Word According to Kimba.”

A Time to Serve… Kimba held many roles in the community. For many years he served with The United Negro College Fund, Inc. as a host. Kimba was a “Nupe” to the core. He bled “crimson and cream”. He was an active, dedicated member of the Hampton/Newport News Alumnae Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where he continuously provided service to the community through his fraternity.

A Time to Die… Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia, “His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord”. After 64 years of being a servant leader, the Lord called him home. Kimba entered his eternal resting place with his mother, Doris L. Clemmons, his father, Emra Clemmons, stepmother, Charlesetta Clemmons, and sister Robin Bailey.

A Time to Cherish… Kimba’s spirit and legacy will live on within the heart of his loving and devoted wife, Marla Clemmons, four children, Niko, Kimbalee, Bakari, and Karen (Larry), two grandchildren, Kayla and Kennedy, daughter-in-love Toneta and Tony and Onetra.

Siblings: John Clemmons (Gladys) and Yvette Bright, Alicia Lester, Jesse Bailey (brother-in-law)
Aunts: Lula Brown, Liz Clemmons
Sisters/Brothers Cousins: Crosby Brown, Richard Brown, William Clemmons, Agnes Paulk, Shirley Sellers, Patricia Brown-Young, Fern Miller, Wanda Gordon
Bahamian Family: Mother-in-love, Mariletta Butler, sisters-in-love, D. Denise Butler-Brown, Claudine Butler, Lisa Butler
Brothers-in-love: Bryan Butler, David Brown
Numerous nieces, nephews, family members, and friends
Virginia Family: Alfred/Blanche Roberts, Clifford/Audrey McMillan, Alfred/Carolyn/Jackie Daye, Johnny/Connie/Steven Smalls, Chuck Stewart, Lynn Lawrence, Marilynn Johnson, Karen Wilson, Carl West, Betty Wallace, Jackie Estrada, Willie/Carol Pratt