Mary Lou Kirby

Mary married the love of her life, Carl, in 1947. She drove the tractor for her husband while he had his bailing business. He always said, “No one could make a windrow like Mary.” Mary was a no nonsense woman who did the best she could with what life handed her. Every summer she and her mother-in-law, Louise Kirby, grew a huge garden to can and freeze as many vegetables as possible to keep their family fed. They also raised at least 100 chickens, to fryer sized, in those summers. Her children will never forget the smell of scalded chicken feathers or the brother with the weak stomach. Mary came from a strong religious background, which helped her and her husband in having interest in the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church). Mary passed the time by keeping up with her house, quilting, volunteering, feeding the elders and doing home visits for her church.

Mary is survived by daughters , Shirley Ann (James) Anderson, Barbara Sue (Joe) Crass, Adriane Lyn (Roger) Wallace; sons Carl "Gus" (Karen) August Jr. and Edward Thomas (Kathy), grandchildren, April Pugh, Kyle Knight and Kevin Knight, Jason Kirby, Carl Kirby III, Kimberly Steinkamp, Brandy Williams, Andrew and Brandon Wallace, Amy Carter; great-grandchildren Abrial King, Jacob Pugh, Sydney Knight, Hudson Knight, Brook Lynn Steinkamp, Aubrey Steinkamp, Logan Fasco Wallace, Raeya Elaine Wallace and Skyla Mae Wallace.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Carl August Kirby; daughter Janet Marie Knight and son David James Kirby; father William Thomas Cooksey and mother Mary Cureton Roberts Cooksey; brother Robert "R.B." Bennett, William “Bill” Howard, Clyde Edward and James Leroy; sisters Alma D. and Sarah Viola.

In lieu of flowers, in Mary's honor, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A graveside service for Mary will be held Friday, September 27, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Tyler Memorial Cemetery.