Hulda Flanagin

Hulda Marie Kimbel Flanagin, 81, of Jackson passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at her home.

Hulda was born Dec. 27, 1938, in Cape Girardeau to Sybil Marie and Benjamin Kimbel. She and her husband, Paul Flanagin, were married Dec. 27, 1958, and had been married 61 years at the time of her death.

Her sweet, humble spirit and kind heart brought joy to all who knew her and, when she laughed, you just had to join in.

Paul described her as "the best thing that ever happened to me" and faithfully and tenderly cared for her during her long illness.

While Hulda was primarily a homemaker, devoted mom and grandmother, she also was a committed and hard-working partner to Paul in several small businesses. She was a talented decorator and had the gift of making any house into a beautiful home.

She loved to sing and played the piano and guitar beautifully "by ear." Paul and Hulda spent many happy hours singing karaoke with friends and family. Hulda found joy in the beauty of God's creation and loved flowers and gardening. Her greatest happiness came from serving God and loving her family. Her granddaughters, who gave her the unusual grandmother name of "Papa," were her pride and joy.

Loving survivors include her husband, Paul Flanagin; daughter, Julie (Don) Sappington; granddaughters, Christy (Joe) Gibbs and Amy (Zach) Robinson; great-grandchildren, Josie Gibbs, Watson Gibbs, Jason Robinson, Benjamin Robinson and Lucy Robinson; sisters, Billie Farrow and Jeanette Farrow; and brothers, James, Bobby, Gene and Ray Kimbel.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Betty Wilkinson Gregory, Shirley McLain, Brenda Turner and JoAnn Parker; and brother, Sonny Kimbel.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, followed by the funeral service, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1250 County Road 318 in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63122-3214.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.