Mary Kirk Kelly

Mary Kirk Kelly’s life began on December 24, 1918 and closed on May 6, 2013 at Kirk House, her beloved home in Axis, Alabama. She shared much of her life there with her cherished grandparents, Charles and Mary Kirk, her parents, Donald and Ruth Kirk, her brother Donald and her adored granddaughter, Alexandra DeWitt, all of whom preceded her in death. In many ways, she reflected a gentility of a different era; however she was also a woman of keen curiosity, determination, independence and honesty. She was a proud graduate of Murphy High School, Montevallo College for Woman, Vanderbilt and Peabody Universities. Yet, it was her creative gift that defines much of her legacy. Mary Kirk Kelly hands shaped magic out of clay, beginning with objects made from the clay of Gunnison Creek for the delight of her children to serious ceramic studies for collectors over the world. Though for her, the more important legacy she leaves behind are those she loved and those who love her, including: her sister, Dr. Margaret Anderson of College Station, Texas. her daughters Ruth Schmohl (John) of Satsuma, Alabama, Elizabeth Asher (Kenneth) of Seattle, Washington, her granddaughters, Sophie and Hannah Asher, numerous nieces and nephews and those who provided so much care and comfort over these last months: Frank Reed, Bessie Darrington, Sally Hooker and Sheryl Row. A graveside service will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Saturday May 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM. A reception will directly follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the Little Rock Baptist Church Axis, Alabama (Post Office Box 169, Axis, Alabama 36505) or Government Street Presbyterian Church 300 Government Street, Mobile Alabama 34402.