Kimberly (Kimbo) Ann Barlow

Kimberly 68 of Midland, Pennsylvania went home to join the heavenly host on October 24, 2024 2:42 PM. She was the youngest of 7 children, born to Eddie Lee, Sr. and Helen Barlow on August 20, 1956, at East Liverpool General Hospital in East Liverpool, Ohio. She was named by Jessie Mae Dawson; her Godmother and traveling bowling partner, who has preceded her in death along with her sister Evelyn McWhorter.

Kimbo was a graduate of Midland Lincoln High School, where she was a Junior Varsity Cheerleader and played clarinet in the high school marching band and orchestra. After graduating from high school she was employed with Mayer China Company and Quaker State until she discovered her passion for helping troubled youth.

Kim furthered her education at Beaver County Community College (BCCC) receiving an Associates Degree, with honors, in criminal justice and social work. She subsequently became a counselor for young women of diverse backgrounds. Her degree took her into a broader scope of rehabilitation with adults in penal institutions working 30 plus years with Penn Pavilion and Columbia County Jail as a Correctional Officer. Kimbo was well respected by those incarcerated because she believed "by the grace of God, it could be me." She retired from Penn Pavilion in 2021, always talking about those employees that were not simply co-workers, but true friends. That was Kim, a fun-loving individual who enjoyed a good laugh and returned it, except for when she was serving as a Union Representative–Kimbo was a bulldog for the more fair working conditions.

Kimberly was a lifetime member of the Church of the Living God serving in many capacities such as the Praise Team, Choir Director, Usher Ministry, and Chair of the Trustee Ministry for many years until recently due to challenges. She loved singing the old congregational songs such as, "I'm Running for Life," "Jesus Saves," and, "I Know I've Been Changed." It was songs like these that inspired her during the low tides of life. Simply put, Kim loved God foremost and her church.

Kimbo was an outspoken person who ventured into politics serving on the Midland Borough Council to try and make a positive difference in her community. "The 400 Block," she was a member of the West End Community Project, one of the founding members.

Kimberly was a "Tom-Boy" as she often referred to herself. She was an avid fisher who loved to make it a competition with her siblings and was instrumental with initiating the
Annual Pre-Fourth of July Family Memorial Fishing Competition. She was a dynomite third base softball player who knew the game and became part of a #1 traveling softball team for women. She loved it so well that she demanded her nephews James and Sean McWhorter play too. Softball was a passion so deep that it was a generational requirement that trickled down to her great niece Kaiyah McWhorter. Kimberly loved spending time with her "fave" nieces and nephews, especially Stephen D. Sullivan, Jr. when he spent summer vacations as a child with the 427 Ohio Avenue clan. Kim loved eating-out at Applebees, especially after her mother relocated to Cleveland, Ohio because those homemade Sunday dinners ended with mom's departure.

Kimberly (Kimbo) leaves to forever cherish her memory, 4 brothers and 1 sister. Fred (Doris deceased) McWhorter, York, PA; Eddie Lee, Jr (Barbara) Barlow, Aliquippa, PA; Bette (Rev. Stephen D. deceased) Sullivan, Cleveland, OH; Donald Keith Barlow, Baton Rouge, LA; and Oscar Barlow, Pittsburgh, PA; as well as her self-proclaimed children-nephews James McWhorter, Decatur, GA and Sean McWhorter, Midland, PA; nephew Stephen D. (Toyette) Sullivan, Jr, Charlotte, NC; great niece Kaiyah Y. McWhorter, Cincinnati, OH; and cherished friend Matthew Shepherd along with a host of relatives and friends far and near... Gone but not forgotten Kimbo.