Dr. Kirby was born, to the late Chester M. Kirby and to Lessie Marie Boyd Kirby in Wedowee, Alabama on August 19, 1937. After God called him into the gospel ministry, he immediately began his educational preparation for this enormous task. He holds the Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi College, the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He served as pastor of churches in Mississippi, Texas and Georgia from 1963-1999. During these years, he faithfully proclaimed God’s word, and he was actively involved as a denominational leader, educational consultant, and pastoral counselor. He was presented the Outstanding Citizen’s Award in 1975 by the North Texas Council for Exceptional Children, and listed in Who’s Who in Religion the same year.
As a retired pastor, Dr. Kirby devoted himself to his writings. These writings never failed to reflect his great love and devotion to his Lord and Savior, his love for God’s word, for his family, and his love for a good story. He was actively involved in his church, First Baptist Church of Newnan, as a children’s leader.
Dr. Kirby is survived by wife, Avonelle Norred Kirby; son, Jerry M. Kirby, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Lisa J. Kirby of Palmetto, GA.; grandchildren, Kaylan R.Kirby and Kyle A. Kirby; sister, Joan Marie Kirby Johnston and husband James Johnston of Lanett, AL; brother, John D. Kirby, Sr. and wife Sylvia May Kirby of Columbus, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Carmichael-Hemperley funeral home in Peachtree City, Saturday, October 16th, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Kirby requested that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 17th, in the Carmichael-Hemperley Chapel.
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