Shirley Elaine Kirby was born Sept. 21, 1937, the daughter of Albert Russell Loftin and Gara Newell Graham. Shirley departed this life Oct. 3, 2005, at the age of 68.
Shirley was a lifelong resident of the Ava area. In 1983 Shirley and J.B. Kirby were united in marriage in Miami, Okla. She was employed as a cook for the Highway House Cafe. Shirley attended Star Chapel and Black Oak Church.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, J. B. Kirby, her father, Albert Loftin, one sister, Earlene Chamberlain and two infant brothers.
Shirley is survived by her children, Albert Allen and Suzanne Clark, Ava, Debra McDonald and Clarance Hamilton, Syracuse, Mo., Janet Johnson, Taneyville, Daryl and Julie Gann, Springfield, Cheryl Gann and Jeremiah Myers, Ava, and Christopher Kirby, Ava; her mother, Gara Newell Graham Loftin, Ava; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ineta Gann, Hardwood, Mo., and Darlene Jenkins, St. Louis; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Services will be 10 a.m. today (Thursday, Oct. 6) in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Marvin Loftin officiating. Interment will follow in the Loftin Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
