Sara Sturdivant Kirby

COLUMBIA - Sara Kathryn Sturdivant Kirby, 75, died peacefully on July 2, 2014. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014, at Shandon United Methodist Church, Wesley Hall, 3407 Devine Street, Columbia, followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park immediately following. Born November 7, 1938 in Charleston, S.C., she was a daughter to the late John and Sara Dorsey Sturdivant. A member of Shandon U.M.C. for over 50 years, she served as Membership Secretary for 18 years. She was also an Army wife for 24 years. Surviving are her husband of 50 years, LTC (Ret) Ernest R. Kirby; son, Paul D. Kirby of Columbia; daughter, Janice K. Combs (Byron) of Simpsonville; brother, Joel E. Sturdivant of Atlanta, Ga.; nieces, Jennifer S. Sturdivant, Atlanta, Ga., Sarah M. Hair (Kevin) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Khristy F. Evans (Michael) of Traverse City, Mich.; and nephew, Joel E. Sturdivant, Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif. She was predeceased by a sister, Janice L. Sturdivant. Sara was a graduate of Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina, where she was a member of Phi Beta Phi Sorority. Throughout her life, Sara loved to travel, read, and garden. Known for her quick wit, honesty, and compassion, she often placed her family’s needs before her own. The family wishes to thank the staff at Wildewood Downs, Palmetto Baptist Hospital, and Dr. Sara Schumacher for their kind service and care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shandon U.M.C., 3407 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205.