Frances Kirk Ferrell

Frances Kirk Manly Ferrell of Birmingham passed away on January 30th at the age of 86. She was the daughter of Horace Kirk and Frances Vines Kirk. She attended the University of Montevallo and received a degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in English from Samford University. She was married for thirty-one years to Harold Cleveland Manly, Jr. until his death in 1986. She was later married to Bertram Frank Ferrell, Sr. until his death in 2012.

Frances was a life-long, faithful and active member of Avondale United Methodist Church. As a youth, she spent Saturdays clearing land for the construction of Camp Sumatanga. She expressed her strong faith in God through music as the church organist and choir director. She became a member of the sanctuary choir at age 13, led children’s and youth choirs, and served as the sanctuary choir director for over 45 years. Frances joined the staff of Mountain Brook High School when it opened in 1966 and shared her enthusiasm and love of music with her students as the choral director for over 29 years. Many Broadway musicals and holiday programs were enjoyed by students and audiences alike. Former students still fondly remember that Mrs. Manly taught them the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Frances is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William Edwin Kirk. She is survived by a son, Harold Cleveland Manly, III (Lynn) and a daughter, Ellen Manly Thomas (Michael), grandchildren Anita Kay Head (Jason), Lane Brown (Graham), Melissa Bonds (Austin), Gray Manly, Kirk Thomas and great-grandchildren, Hallie, Sara, and Brooks Head, A.J. and Addie Bonds, and Nathan Brown. She is also survived by her stepfamily including children Biff Ferrell (Alice), Bill Ferrell (Susie), Ellen Morgan, Doug Ferrell, and Mary Lee Montgomery (Gene), 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Libby Kirk and Martha Manly, aunt, Jane Kirk Driver, cousin, Amelia Kirk Lollie, and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 4th at 2:00 pm at Avondale United Methodist Church in Birmingham, with visitation preceding the service at 1:00 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to Avondale United Methodist Church Organ Fund, 500 S. 40th Street, Birmingham, AL 35222, or to the charity of your choice.

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.