From Childhood Through College

The inspirational story of Dr. Nell K. Williams is one of Strength, Love, and Dedication. Born Winnifred Nell Kimbrough on March 13, 1927 in the rural Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, Dr. Nell rose from humble beginnings to great heights of achievement in the chiropractic profession.

Nell Kimbrough was one of 8 children born to Herbert and Rosa Lee Kimbrough.

Thurmond Kimbrough (died at childbirth)

Marvin Kimbrough (died at 12 years of age)

Lawrence Kimbrough

Wayne Kimbrough

Walter Kimbrough

June Kimbrough

Nell Kimbrough

Mildred Kimbrough

Her early childhood years were spent in the small unincorporated western North Carolina town of Marble, North Carolina.

Nell Kimbrough School Picture

1935 - Age 8

Her mother passed away in 1938 at the height of The Great Depression when  Nell was but 11 years old. The Kimbrough family, as with most families of that time, particularly in Appalachia, experienced great financial struggles. It was at this point that her father made the difficult decision to place his youngest 2 daughters, Nell and Pidge, in an orphanage to ensure that they could be better cared for. Being a Mason, Herbert was able to send his daughters to the Masonic Orphanage in Oxford, North Carolina

Aerial photo of the orphanage taken in 1951.

The orphanage was located on a large dairy farm, with fruit orchards, and many other production facilities required to keep the orphanage operating. This included everything from housing for the children to ironing and sewing buildings to a bakery and a print shop. A hospital was on site as well as facilities for elementary and high school education. Boys and girls were separated and lived in different houses. All children were expected to work to help keep the farm and orphanage running.

The children arose every morning at 6:00 a.m., did their house chores, went to breakfast at 7:00 a.m., and went to their jobs and/or school at 8:00 a.m.

The photo to the right is a picture of one of the early Girls Cottages.

Some of the many different types of jobs the children would perform included sewing, ironing, baking, and serving tables in the dining hall. Young Nell was frequently assigned to the nursery to care for the infants and other small children.

Through all of this Nell made sure she kept up with her studies  and completed her Elementary School education.

In her final year in grammar school she also received the Handwriting Certificate in Business Writing from The Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Books. Graceful and legible Handwriting skills were very important back then, and is probably something we should spend more time on today!

Her education continued after grammar school and she went on to earn her High School Diploma.

John Nichols High School

Class of 1945

Top Row: Mason Barber, Vivian Surles, Gran Childress, Billie Woodruff, Ralph Coley

Center Row: Verna Mae Capps, Pauline Gunter, Nell Kimbrough, Nell Mills, Weta Moore

Front Row: Zeke Colenda, Grace Vinson, Shirley Nelson, Millie Carel, Treva Moss

Mascot: Joan Koonee

 

Upon graduation from high school in 1945, Nell applied to, and was enrolled, into Lee's-McRae College, a 2 year junior college, in Banner Elk, North Carolina. With her limited orphanage based education, Nell struggled with some of her studies. However, she never gave up. She  eagerly took on any special assignments that would help her with her academic goals. She graduated on time in June of 1947.

Lee's- McRae College Commencement Invitation

Lees-McRae Graduates of 1947

Lees-McRae College Diploma

Associate in Arts

Nell Winifred Kimbrough

June 02, 1947

After graduating from Lee's-McRae college, Nell set out to find her place in the world. She made her way down to Atlanta, Georgia where her sister June was living at the time. Nell loved Atlanta and decided to stay. In order to support herself, she got a job at a local bank.

It was during this time that she was introduced to this dynamic Georgia Tech football star and Captain of the Rifle Team, Sid Williams. The two developed a bond that would last over 60 years.

On March 21, 1953, Sid Williams and Nell Kimbrough exchanged wedding vows and moved to Davenport, Iowa, where they both enrolled at Palmer School of Chiropractic.

It was at Palmer Chiropractic College that Nell discovered her real passion in life - Chiropractic! And where she struggled academically at  Lee's-McRae, she blossomed and excelled in her chiropractic studies.

Nell Williams was one of only two women in the Palmer Chiropractic Research Society. Membership in this group was a great privilege as it was by invitation only.

The B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic

Research Team Certificate

Along with her chiropractic studies, Nell also made time to lead the Davenport Toastmistress Club as their President.

"PRESIDENT - Mrs. Sidney Williams was installed as president of the Davenport Toastmistress Club at a meeting Sunday. ..."

A young Nell Williams is shown here with Dr. B.J. Palmer. B.J. was the son of The Founder of chiropractic, D.D. Palmer, and was often referred to as The Developer of chiropractic. His writings and teaching are still highly respected in the chiropractic profession, even today. Sid and Nell were privileged to have studied under his tutelage.

In 1956 Dr. Nell K. Williams and Dr. Sid E. Williams graduated from Palmer Chiropractic College.

Dr. Nell K. Williams

Palmer Chiropractic College

Graduation Portrait

In 1956 Dr. Nell passed the Georgia Board ofChiropractic Examiners exam and earned her License to practice Chiropractic in the State of Georgia.

Building Her Chiropractic Career

After graduation Dr. Nell and her husband, Dr. Sid, moved backed to Georgia and opened their first practice in Austell. From this point forward it is difficult to mention one of these amazing people without mentioning the other. While maintaining her own identity and accomplishments, Dr. Nell became the "back bone" to everything her illustrious husband accomplished. Bonding with her husband in everything they did, and supporting Dr. Sid in every way possible, her life has truly been one of self sacrifice.

After graduating from the Palmer School of Chiropractic, Dr. Sid and Dr. Nell set forth on their dream to bring health and vitality to others through chiropractic. They opened their first clinic in Austell, GA. This would be the first of what would eventually be almost 20 Chiropractic offices in the Atlanta area.

In 1956 the first Williams Chiropractic Health Center opened in Austell, GA in offices at the corner of Spring Street and Jefferson Street.

Roadside sign promoting Chiropractic and the Williams Chiropractic Clinic.

Dr. Nell at work inside the first Williams Chiropractic Clinic in Austell, GA. Dr. Nell is the lady walking in front of of the desk towards her next patients.

Dr. Nell taking X-Rays of a new patient in Austell.

Dr. Nell is shown here performing a chiropractic examination on a young patient. This particular patient just happens to be her daughter Kim, who became a chiropractor herself many years later!

Drs. Sid & Nell Williams quickly became a Dynamic Duo in the chiropractic field. Part of what made them so special was their development of their Lasting Purpose philosophy.

Lasting Purpose is an overall term for a philosophy which advocates the establishment of a mindset for Loving, Serving, and Giving out of your own abundance, just for the sake of doing so with no ulterior motives in mind.

Applying this philosophy to their daily lives attracted patients in ever increasing numbers.

Lasting Purpose In Action - Dr. Nell and Dr. Sid applied their Lasting Purpose philosophy to all people. Even in the turbulent 1960's in Atlanta, GA they were not afraid to serve what would commonly be called "under served areas" today. They believed that everyone deserved the opportunity to choose a more holistic and natural form of healthcare through chiropractic no matter who they were.

In addition to their chiropractic practice in Austell, Drs. Sid and Nell opened a series of Triple H Clinics in Atlanta. Triple H stood for Health, Harmony, and Happiness. This photo is of the first Triple H Clinic at Lawton St. and Westview Drive in Atlanta.

Dr. Nell

This May 1958 newspaper clipping was a reflection of the times. While she was a legitimate Doctor of Chiropractic herself, she was still referred to as Mrs. Williams. The brief article also got her college wrong as she graduated from Lee's-McRae in North Carolina, not the University of North Carolina. While there were women in the chiropractic profession those days, there were not many. Even so, she never let this hold her back and she continued to serve her patients with Dr. Sid.

Dr. Nell

Triple H Clinic located at 755 Simpson Street in Atlanta, GA. opened in the spring of 1964. One of the over 20 chiropractic clinics opened and operated by Drs. Sid and Nell. This particular clinic was run by their good friend Dr. D.D. Humber (shown here standing to the right of Dr. Sid) but it was Dr. Nell who laid the groundwork to get this clinic up and running.

Drs. Sid and Nell also started Si-Nel Publishing to help spread the word about chiropractic. Through Si-Nel they wrote and published many different printed tracts to help educate the public about Chiropractic.

Health For Life was published in a newspaper format and was made available to chiropractic patients around the country through their chiropractors offices. Today's Chiropractic, first published in a newspaper format, eventually became Today's Chiropractic Magazine and became a major periodical informing everyone in the Chiropractic Profession.

Chiropractic equipment and supplies were sometimes difficult to source. As such, Si-Nel also became a source through which chiropractors could locate and purchase those supplies.

DYNAMIC ESSENTIALS

Drs. Sid and Nell wanted to not only help their patients through chiropractic, they also wanted to help their fellow chiropractors to improve their practices in order for them to be more successful and enable them to help more patients as well. To achieve this goal they founded Dynamic Essentials (DE) to train and motivate chiropractors, and to educate students and lay people in the philosophy, principles and practice of chiropractic.

LF-Dr.Nell_Teaches

Dr. Nell spoke at every Dynamic Essentials meeting for more than 40 years on a wide variety of topics. This article reveals her ability to speak to one of the key topics that is so critical to a chiropractic offices success - the wife, the assistant, and the receptionist, or what most people would call "the front office" today. Dr. Nell was not just an incredible chiropractor, but she also had great knowledge and insight into how a successful chiropractic clinic could be run and operated. In this seminar she would share that insight with others in the chiropractic arena in an effort to support their success.

LF-Dr.Nell_Teaches

Building through her DE experience Dr. Nell literally "wrote the book" on how to run a successful chiropractic practice. In 1981 she published the Basic Chiropractic Assistant Textbook. This book has been used by thousands of chiropractic offices as a guide to running their practice.

Dr. Nell is shown here lecturing at a Dynamic Essentials meeting in 1981.

LIFE FOUNDATION

In June of 1964 Drs. Sid and Nell Williams met with other like-minded chiropractors in Mableton, GA. Inspired by their Lasting Purpose philosophy, they proposed an organization that would seek to promote chiropractic care through research and public education.

Working in tandem with the Dynamic Essentials meetings, Life Foundation would be the avenue through which many of their biggest goals could be realized, including the establishment of a chiropractic college in Georgia!

As a Founding Member, Dr. Nell would be an active participant in Life Foundation's programs and activities for the rest of her life.

This photo is of the last Williams Chiropractic Center. It remained open and served patients until 1984. It was during this time that Dr. Nell took on the dual roll of supporting Dr. Sids efforts in opening Life Chiropractic College while simultaneously keeping their chiropractic offices running and seeing patients. It was often Dr. Nell's work at this very clinic, and her continued service to their chiropractic related businesses, that paid the bills and kept the school, and the family, afloat.

Drs. Sid and Nell at the opening of Life Chiropractic College in 1974.

Life University

In 1974 Drs. Sid and Nell began what would become their biggest and most consequential project in their lifetimes. The opening of Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia.

While Dr. Sid Williams, was the face of Life Chiropractic College, Dr. Nell was the "woman behind the man". Her purpose in life was to exemplify unconditional love, support, and encouragement to her husband and family in everything they set out to accomplish.

As Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs she was responsible for the largest department at the university and assisted thousands of students in becoming doctors and joining the chiropractic profession.

 

The University of the State of New York

Bachelor of Science

Nell K. Williams

April 24, 1998

In 1983 her academic work and accomplishments at the college were acknowledged by her peers.

This is a copy of the letter sent to Dr. Nell stating that her academic rank has been changed to the rank of Professor.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Davenport Toastmistress Club

Past Presidents Club

1956

Sigma Phi Chi Sorority

Member

1959

Ladies For Life

Appreciation Award

1978

Dr. Mabel Heath Palmer Award

Woman Chiropractor Of The Year

1981

International Chiropractors Association

Certificate Of Merit

1982

Harvey Lillard Society

Certificate Of Membership

1989

YWCA of Cobb County

Tribute To Women of Achievement

1989

Chiropractor Of The Year

1991

Harvey Lillard Society

Life College School Of Chiropractic

International Chiropractors Association

Woman Of The Decade

1991

XVIII Central American And Caribbean Sports Games

Diploma

To Dr. Nell Williams

Costa Rica Olympic Team

As: Participating As A Chiropractor

From: The XVIII Central American And Caribbean Sports Games

Maracaibo August 8-22, 1998

Wall of Tolerance Award Presented By Rosa Parks

Honoring those who are leading the way towards a more tolerant and just America as Founding Members of the National Campaign for Tolerance

May 15, 2002

Nell Kimbrough Elementary School Nell Kimbrough Elementary School

Nell Kimbrough - Elementary School - Marble, North Carolina

Grab the slider bar on the right and drag it to see which student is Nell Kimbrough!

Letter To Dad - Age 12 - Page 1

"Dear Dad,

We are all O.K. but I have a little cold. Lauerence was home during the week end. He came Fri. night. He like to never waked us up. And stayed till Sunday after dinner. Nearly everybody out here is sick Mr. King has the flu & Alice Victor & old lady bryson that stays up there has been bad off sick. They thought Victor was going to die. they didn't believe he is going to live. Mr. & Mrs. Barton has been bad off sick. Grandma West has been sick. Glen Lunsford a boy in our room has typhoid fever & double pneumonia . he is just alive. The doctor said he wouldn't live over a week or not that long. They live up at the quarry and have been drinking creek water and thats what made him sick he got a germ out of it. he is a orphant and dont have any body to take care of him" ...

Letter To Dad - Age 12 - Page 2

..."to sent him some stuff to eat he can't hardly eat anything. Maw is staying up at Gerts now. Maw was down hear Sunday. they came in Hugh car  Dee Raxter drove it  Kathleen & her baby & Gert & Dagio Came with her. Write us soon.

I reckon June is coming out there Saturday. bring us lots of candy and send some by June.

Nell Kimbrough"

Nell Kimbrough - Letter To Dad From Orphanage - Age 12

This letter from a young Nell Kimbrough to her father reveals so much about this amazing lady we called Dr. Nell. Her correspondence is written in the vernacular of an impoverished Appalachian child. Such a far cry from the eloquent and well spoken lady she became. In one sense it is comical in that she is trying to communicate to her father that she is just fine. Then she proceeds with this litany of people all around her with severe, and life threatening, health issues! Dr. Nell certainly overcame many different challenges in her life.

B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Research Team Nell K. Williams

Nell K. Williams - B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Research Team

Grab the slider bar on the right and drag it to see which student is Nell Williams!

Nell K. Williams, D.C.

PROFILE

Born March 13, 1927

Married Sid Williams, B.S., D.C. March 21, 1953

Two Children - Dr. Kim Williams and Dr. John Sidney Williams

 

EDUCATION

John Nichols Grammar School

John Nichols High School - Graduated 1945

Lee’s-McRae College - Graduated 1947

Palmer Chiropractic College - Graduated 1956

Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners License to practice Chiropractic #701, 1956

University of the State of New York - Bachelor of Science - 1998

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Williams Chiropractic Clinics - Owner/Chiropractor

Si-Nel Publishing Company - Owner

Life University - Co-Founder - Academic Rank of Professor

Life Foundation - Co-Founder and Officer

Today’s Chiropractic - Publisher

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

International Chiropractic Association

International Chiropractic Association - Women’s Auxiliary 

Georgia Chiropractic Association

Quota Club of Atlanta

Fulton-Dekalb Business and Professional Women’s Club

Sigma Phi Chi Sorority

Toastmistress International

 

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

  • DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC - Private Practice - 25 years of overwhelming success in private practice. Outstanding success with patients with health issues. Featured on “60 Minutes” with Mike Wallace in 1980 showing showing some of the many healthcare problems that have demonstrable and proven results under chiropractic care.
  • SR. VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS - Life University - Served as a means of communication between students and the administration on topics related to student life outside of academic or classroom procedures. Handle student complaints, requests, and suggestions. Work with Student Council in helping to promote and coordinate various student handbooks and the student monthly newsletter “Life Force”.
  • DEAN OF WOMEN - Life University - Troubleshoot for women on campus. Ensure that women receive proper counseling and legal assistance when necessary. Oversee women’s equality in all programs, activities, and sports. Sit on all committees concerning women. Work with Health Services, Oversee all Sororities and Women’s Clubs.
  • ADMINISTRATOR - Multiple businesses - General administrative duties. Manage and direct employees at private chiropractic practices, Si-Nel Publishing Company, & Life University. Direct and supervise the day to day duties associated with the writing, editing, printing, and mailing of national publications related to chiropractic.
  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Dynamic Essentials Seminars - Taught the Chiropractic Assistants course at the DE Seminars throughout the United States which encompassed office procedures and techniques for operating a successful chiropractic office.
  • AUTHOR - Author of the books “BASIC CHIROPRACTIC ASSISTANTS TEXTBOOK”, and “TEXTBOOK FOR THE CA” which reveals the technique of office procedure which is the determining factor as to whether a practice will be a success. These techniques were also taught at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.
  • FOUNDER
    • Assisted with founding the Episcopal Church in Austell, GA.
    • Co-Founder of Life Foundation with Dr. Sid E. Williams
    • Co-Founder of Life University with Dr. Sid E. Williams

 

National / International Activities

  • WORLD TOUR 1980 - Guest speaker to the Australian Chiropractic Association in Sidney, Australia - Spoke to chiropractors in Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and Anchorage, Alaska. Discussed health care in the Republic of China during a 3 day tour.
  • EUROPEAN LECTURE TOUR 1981 - Selected as “Special Envoy” of the International Chiropractic Association for outstanding service to the chiropractic profession.
    • Spoke to audiences from Oslo, Norway to Cairo, Egypt stressing the need for Chiropractic all over the world.
    • Spoke to Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious groups convincing them that regardless of their religious beliefs, Chiropractic is the only natural health care method.
    • Attended the “European Chiropractic Union Convention” in Avignon, France.
    • Conducted a special lecture in Tel Aviv, Isreal which was organized by a Life Chiropractic College graduate.
    • Toured “Static Clinics” in Italy.
    • Implemented scholarship programs in the Pacific to encourage potential students to come to Life University to learn more about chiropractic.

 

Community Involvement

  • High Museum of Art
  • Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta
  • Fulton-Dekalb Business and Professional Women
  • Quota Club of Atlanta (Service to the hearing impaired)
  • Episcopal Church Founder (Instrumental in organizing community church)

 

Awards

  • Davenport Toastmistress Past Presidents Award
  • 1981 - Dr. Mabel Heath Palmer Award - Woman Chiropractor Of The Year
  • 1982 - International Chiropractors Association Women’s Auxiliary - Certificate of Merit
  • 1991 - International Chiropractors Association - Woman Of The Decade
  • 2002 - Wall of Tolerance Award from Rosa Parks