Virginia Adamson Kirby

Virginia Adamson Kirby, 82, passed away April 11, 2021 in Andover, MN. She was born on October 4, 1938 to the late Leo and Violet Adamson in Ashland, AL. Her family moved to LaGrange in 1954, where she graduated from the first graduating class of Troup High School in 1956. While at Troup High, she got a job working as a dental assistant for Dr. Cleveland in LaGrange. She held this job until she got married. In 1959, she married the love of her life, James H. “Pete” Kirby and together they raised three sons. After marriage, she and her husband moved to Macon, GA where they worked for Metropolitan Insurance. In 1961, they moved back to LaGrange where she again worked for Dr. Cleveland. After the birth of her children she became a stay at home mom until 1971 where she became a secretary in the Troup County school system. In 1973, they moved to Madison, GA, where she lived for 32 years. They were very active in Madison Baptist Church where she served as Children’s Sunday School director for many years and in the Women’s Missionary Union. Socially, she was active in the Red Hat Society, The Madison Morgan Cultural Center, served as a docent at Heritage Hall and Rogers House (which she later discovered had been owned by Greenberry Adamson, an ancestor of hers who was Sheriff of Morgan County, in the mid 1800’s) and volunteered each year at the Madison Tour of Homes. She retired from Morgan County Primary School where she was the Principal’s secretary and bookkeeper for 25 years. At the age of 10, she got a sewing machine for Christmas, and sewing became her passion. She would see an outfit she liked in a magazine and would make it for herself. She was known for her elegance and sense of style. She later had a side business called “Madison Tassels” where she made and sold pocketbooks and window treatments. Her pride and joy was her family. Virginia and Pete never missed a football game, band concert, play, musical, or church event their children participated in. While their sons were in school, they were a part of the football boosters, the Band boosters, and the church youth committee. From the mid 70’s until the fall of 2004, the Kirby’s never missed a Morgan County Football game, sitting in the same reserved seats for over 20 years. The family sat down together every night for dinner and there was always a lot of laughter at those dinners. After the death of her husband in 2004, Virginia moved back to LaGrange and built a home on land that had been part of the family farm. In 2009, Virginia married Curtis Hester of LaGrange and after his passing, in 2012 she married Gene Brown.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Adamson. Survivors include her three sons, Edd Kirby (Victoria) of Andover, MN; Russell Kirby of Duluth, GA; and Keith Kirby (Jamie) of Greenwood, IN. Grandchildren, Megan Kirby Anderson (Weston), Kyle Kirby (Beth), Emily Kirby, Allie Kirby Young (Jake), Rebekah Kirby, Ben Kirby, and Ivy Kirby. One great granddaughter, Scarlet Anderson. Brother, Ronnie Adamson (Linda) of LaGrange, and sisters, Eugenia Adamson McIntyre (Steven) of Lagrange, and Lynn Adamson Welborn (Mike) of Alpharetta. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 10:00am until 11:00am on Saturday, April 17. 2021 at the funeral home. The Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00am April 17, 2021 in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with Rev. Rusty Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Shadowlawn Cemetery.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA