Nellie Frances Kirk

Nell (as she preferred to be called) was born on April 26, 1939 in Kansas City, MO, and was soon adopted by Leo Vernon and Hazel May Platner. Nell and her older brother, Prince, had many adventures growing up near Stigler, Oklahoma.

In 1957, Nell graduated high school as salutatorian in Stigler, OK, and headed off to study education at Oklahoma State University. She later transferred to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, where she met the love of her life, Lanny Kirk. After graduating in 1962, she earned a master degree in remedial reading from Colorado State College.

On June 13, 1964, she and Lanny married and started a life together in El Paso, TX, where Nell began teaching. In 1971, Nell and Lanny adopted their first daughter Bonnie. Later, in 1973 they welcomed their second daughter, Jennifer.

Nell spent the final years of her career as a literacy leader and mentoring teachers. She earned such accolades as Teacher of The Year and Who’s Who Among Human Service Professionals. Nell passed on her love of teaching to both her daughters. Bonnie teaches math and science while Jennifer writes and works as a speech-language pathologist.

In 2002, Nell became The Best Grandma Ever with the birth of granddaughters Lauren Dyer (to Jennifer), and Amanda Fallis (to Bonnie.) In 2004, Rachel Dyer joined the family, then Tristan Kirk Fallis in 2006.

Around the time Tristan arrived, Lanny joined Nell in retirement, and they moved to Mansfield to live closer to their grandchildren. There, Nell and Lanny volunteered in several classrooms and spent time with their grandchildren.

Nell also became a faithful member of the women’s Bible study group at Mansfield Bible Church. Even after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in December of 2024, she continued to participate as she was able. Nell posted Bible verses all over their home, and loved praying for others.

Nell prayed the Lord would give her a ministry of encouragement during those last months of her life, and she wanted everyone to know the key to joy is faith in the Lord. We will do our best to follow in her capable and loving footsteps. She was beloved by so many people.

Nell is survived by her devoted husband of almost 61 years, Lanny Kirk; her daughter, Bonnie Fallis; son-in-law, Jamie Fallis; granddaughter, Amanda Fallis; grandson, Tristan Kirk Fallis; daughter, Jennifer Dyer; son-in-law, Brandon Dyer; granddaughter Lauren Dyer Conroy; grandson-in-law, Joel Conroy; granddaughter, Rachel Dyer; niece, Kim Musgrove; nephew, Eric Platner and his wife Carrie; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

A special note of thanks to those who joined our journey to keep Nell comfortable in her last days. Hospice nurse Larry and the team at Alēv Care Hospice; Wendy, Romona, Brandi, and her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Nell asked for donations to be given to Paws for Reflection Ranch (Pawsforreflectionranch.org) (where Rachel attends horse therapy) and Samaritan’s Purse (Samaritanspurse.org).

A visitation will be held on April 18, 2025, from 10am-11am at Mansfield Bible Church 2351 Country Club Dr., Mansfield, Tx 76063 with a funeral service immediately following at 11am

The staff at Moore Funeral Home encourages family and friends to express their fond memories, expressions of sympathy and additional condolences to the family of Nellie Frances Kirk, by visiting www.moore-funeralhome.com.