Obituary of James Ray Kirby

A celebration of the life of James Ray Kirby, age 89, of Newell will be held on Monday, September 26, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Antioch Baptist Church with Dr. Barry Cosper, Rev. Tom Stacy, Rev. John Davis, and his grandson, David Dyar officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, September 25, 2016. Mr. Kirby was born on November 19, 1926, in Crossville, Alabama, and passed away at his home on Friday, September 23, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Leona Kirby; a brother, Curtis; and infant brother, Maxie. Mr. Kirby is survived by his wife of 69 ½ years, Julia Ann Lovvorn Kirby, children: Peggy (George)Dyar of Opelika, Ouida (William) Webb of Auburn, Paul Kirby of Newell, and loving children Susan Anderson, Keith Anderson, and Lori (Chris) Champion. He was blessed with eight grandchildren: Jenny (Derrick) Knight, Julie Holley, David Dyar, Anna (Nate) James, Thomas (Chrissy) Kirby, Andrew (Kayla) Gibson, Emily Bright, Blake Champion, and five great-grandchildren. His children called him Daddy, but when his grandchildren affectionately dubbed him Boppy, that became his name to the entire family. Mr. Kirby is also survived by brother; Donald (Peggy) of Oxford, Tommy (Vira) of Bowdon, GA, Byron (Sara) of Anniston; sister, Martha (Jack) Baldwin of Whitesburg, GA, and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Thomas Kirby, David Dyar, Derrick Knight, Chris Champion, Blake Champion, and Edward Meadows. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Little Tallapoosa River Domino Club. These men spent many years as friends and neighbors and enjoying their weekly game of dominoes. Mr. Kirby was a graduate of Woodland High School. He enjoyed supporting the Woodland Bobcats and, until his later years, was an active member of the Quarterback Club. He was also an avid Auburn Tiger fan. During WWII, he spent two years in the South Pacific aboard the USS Tuscana. He was an active member of Antioch Baptist Church and served as a Deacon for 54 years. His strong faith and his Christian walk led him to travel and work on a number of mission trips with the Randolph County Carpenters for Christ. He served on the Randolph County Hospital Board for 27 years and served as interim administrator for a period of time. Mr. Kirby was postmaster at Newell for 30 years. He also worked with and eventually purchased the general store and family business Lovvorn and Company at Newell. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby enjoyed having the opportunity to travel and visit many of our states as well as countries around the world. Mr. Kirby was well-respected in his community and the surrounding areas as a businessman, friend, and family man who had a loving heart and desire to help others. The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the staff of LifeChoice Hospice for the love, support, and care they provided for Mr. Kirby during the past few months. Gifts of flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 14617 County Rd. 82, Newell, AL 36280, or New Birth Outreach Ministries, 1411 Highway 29 N, Valley, AL 36854. “Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp, because the dawn has come.” Author Unknown