Lois (Grumbles) Kirk, 98, of Austin went home to her Heavenly Father Sunday, January 16, 2022. She was born on January 21, 1923 in Austin, Texas to William Porter and Martha (Holmes) Grumbles.
She is survived by her loving son Joseph (Joe) H. Kirk; grandchildren, Michele A. (Kirk) Sheffield, Denise K. (Kirk) Cartwright and Keith D. Kirk; great-grandchildren, Jenifer Saenz, Derek Porch, Megan Patrikieiev and Danielle Porch; great-great-grandchildren, Zoe, Mia, Ela, Hal, Abigail and Michael; great-great-great-grandchild, Elana; numerous nieces and nephews; sister-in-laws, Marjorie (Kirk) McMaster and Shirley (Barnes) Kirk. Lois was the family matriarch of six living generations. All of her grandchildren called her Mimi.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Rufus H. “Harry” Kirk; son George Wayne Kirk; daughter-in-law Dorothy (Dottie) M. Kirk; Grumbles brothers, Herbert, Alvin, Charles, Halbert and W. P (Bill); sisters Zilla (Grumbles) Bourke, Mary Grumbles, and Quinetta (Grumbles) Law.
Lois graduated from Austin High School. A few years later, she met and married the love of her life Rufus H. “Harry” Kirk. This was near the beginning of WWII and Harry was in the Army stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. When Harry was discharged around 1947, they stayed in San Antonio another three years. Then in 1950, they moved to Austin, where Lois had spent most of her youth. They bought a small home in South Austin. By then both of their boys (Joe and Wayne) were born. Lois lived in that home for 52 1/2 years and Harry for 49 years, until his death in 1999. That was a home with a lifetime of love and memories. In 2002, Lois moved north close to Lakeline Mall to be near her son Joe and his wife Dottie.
She traveled with her husband to Hawaii, Acapulco and many western states. Her and her family went fishing many times on the Colorado River a few miles from Austin, often overnight. Lois was a homemaker. She enjoyed planting her flowers and mowing the yard (she would not let any of us touch her mower). Also, it wasn’t unusual to come home and discover a room freshly painted a new color or a room rearranged. Lois enjoyed playing golf, doing word search and jigsaw puzzles, card games, watching Jeopardy, baseball and football games, and reading the newspaper and Reader’s Digest. Lois always enjoyed butterflies; she had many for jewelry and indoor/outdoor decorations. Lois was a lifetime Christian. During her adult life, she was a member of the following churches: Capitol Heights Baptist, Fairview Baptist and Shenandoah Baptist. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings for birthdays and holidays. Her home was a great place for family celebrations and fellowship. Lois was a loving caregiver for her son Wayne, sister Zilla and husband Harry.
Visitation and services will be Tuesday, January 25, 2022, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. Visitation is from noon to 1:00 P.M. and services will begin at 1:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Dr., Austin, TX 78731.
Memorial contributions may be made to a church or favorite charity.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Kirk family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18