Barbara Kirby Lovelace

Barbara was born to Murrell Eugene “Bud” Kirby and her mother Mildred Faye (Holt) Kirby on May 15, 1942 in Trumann, Arkansas. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Mississippi State Senator Dean Kirby. After raising her three children, Joe Wayne Lovelace, Shelley Elizabeth (Lovelace) Jordan, and Deanne, “Kirby” (Lovelace) Smith, Barbara graduated from University of Texas at Dallas. She began her professional career educating underserved students in the Dallas Independent School District before moving to Coppell Independent School District. There, she taught English as a Second Language (ESL), ultimately teaching students of 42 different languages. While living in the Dallas area, she was a member of the Highland Oaks Church of Christ.

Barbara’s life was dedicated to children, and none more than those in her own family. Her grandchildren, Bryce Kirby Turner, Andrea Leanne (Lovelace) Stimson, Dean Kirby Jordan, and Chase Landry Jordan, remember Grandma as a loving, giving, and supportive member of the family. Her great-grandchildren, Stella Elizabeth Stimson and Lila Grace Stimson, who affectionately referred to her as “G.G.” were showered with love and generosity by Barbara at every opportunity. Barbara stood as a beacon of compassion and dedication, pouring her heart into the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In her later years, she and her daughter Kirby spent time researching genealogical records, mapping out the ancestry of the family. In this research, she discovered her patriot ancestors making her eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), of which she was a proud member. She also spent much of her time crocheting and sewing gifts for hospitalized children and the homeless, delivering hundreds of dolls, hats, scarves, and sleeping mats every December. Barbara saw every Christmas as an opportunity to show love to not only her family, but to others in her community.

She is survived by her brother, her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, Shelley’s husband Jeff, Kirby’s husband Chris, and Andrea’s husband Danny. Whether by the name Barbara, Mother, Grandma or G.G., she will be remembered and celebrated as one of the kindest hearts of her time.

The family will be having a private gathering to celebrate Barbara’s 81 years of life. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Barbara’s name are appreciated.