Garland Kirven Brasfield, age 84, of Demopolis, AL, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Kirkwood by the River in Birmingham, AL. He was surrounded by family and close friends. Loved by everyone who knew him, Kirven spent the last two decades in Birmingham where he lived with his sister Garnett Brasfield Baker and her husband, Jim.
Kirven was born in Demopolis on April 3, 1940. He was the second son of the late Laura Kirven Brasfield and Milton Stanhope Brasfield, Jr. He is survived by his older brother, Dr. M. Stanhope Brasfield, III and his wife, Lynn, both of Demopolis and by his younger sisters, Laurie Brasfield Gearhart of Franklin, TN, and Garnett Brasfield Baker and her husband, Jim, of Birmingham. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who are scattered across the globe in Australia, Canada, and, throughout Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, Washington, D.C., and Tennessee.
Kirven, also known as Kip or Kippy by his nieces and nephews, loved his family best of all. He was an avid letter writer who spent his Sunday afternoons composing newsy notes to each of his family groups and to numerous friends. He was most productive when he had a schedule! He had pizza on Fridays, hamburgers and milkshakes on Saturdays, his homemade waffles on Saturday mornings, and a heaping serving of cereal on Sundays for breakfast and dinner! He loved his bedroom, his haven. You could find stars on the ceiling, a Lionel train set, John Deere and International model tractors, clocks of many styles (cuckoo included), and a life-size John Wayne cutout protecting him with an official badge. He ended each day reading his Bible and The Upper Room.
Kirven worked on the family farm with his daddy. The day started milking cows at 4:00 a.m., then again at 4:00 p.m. He was responsible for feeding two chicken houses of baby chicks, working in the garden planting then harvesting the rewards, and driving the tractor cutting and bailing hay for feeding the cows in the winter.
After the deaths of his parents, Kirven lived with his brother Stan and Lynn, Stan’s wife, where he continued working on the family’s farm. For the last 23 years of his life, Kip became a “city man” while living in Birmingham. The first 17 years of his time in Birmingham, Kirven worked for Grace Painting and Restoration with his best friend Jerry Otts. He knew his way around the truck and toolbox. His quiet and jovial nature made him a welcomed guest in countless homes where they worked through the years. Kirven officially retired at age 77 leaving a great host of happy friends and customers.
As a retired man, he loved life even more! He was introduced to Encore, Recess, and Founder’s Place where he especially loved singing in concerts and doing craft projects with his new friends. The experiences he had with these friends were the light of his life!
The family would like to graciously thank Nicole Crawford and LifeCare Solutions for their support and care.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 3207 Montevallo Road, Birmingham with the Rev. Andrew Russell officiating. Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. Burial will take place on Thursday, June 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Demopolis.
In memory of Kirven, donations can be made to Encore c/o Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Birmingham, AL 35213; Founder’s Place, c/o St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham, AL 35213; St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 3207 Montevallo Road, Birmingham, AL 35223; The First United Methodist Church of Demopolis, 200 East Decatur Street, Demopolis, AL 36732, or to the charity of your choice.
Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.
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