Born in Gaffney, he was the son of the late William Alexander Kirby and Florence Ann Wright Kirby and husband of Mary Tisdale Kirby. Mr. Kirby was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was a retired truck driver for Oxford Industries and Ran-dolph Trucking. He was a member of Limestone Street United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by a son, Steve Kirby of Blacksburg; three daughters, Naomi Smith of Seymour, Tenn., Gloria Smith&bsp; of Kings Mountain, N.C., and Frankie Bishop of Mill Spring; one sister, Marie Cloninger of Gaffney; sixteen grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Tony Kirby and Don Kirby; three brothers, Harold Kirby, Guy Kirby and Pitt Kirby, and two sisters, Nellie Ruth Wilson and Khiva Kelly.

Graveside services were held Monday, April 14, 2008 in the Frederick Memorial Gardens, conducted by Rev. Bobby M. McFalls.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to Interim Hospice, 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 101, Spartanburg, S.C. 29301 or to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1886, Gaffney, S.C., 29342.

An online guest register is available for signing at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com.

Blakely Funeral Home of Gaffney was in charge of arrangements.