J.B. Kirby

Rev. J.B. Kirby, age 70 of Calhoun, died Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Gordon Hospital following several years of declining health. He was born in Gordon County on February 3, 1941, son of the late Arnold Veston Kirby and the late Sallie Viola Timms Kirby.

Rev. Kirby was called to preach in his early 20's, and had birthed three churches; Barrett Road Church of God, formerly known as Pentecostal Christian Church; Evangelistic Outreach Ministries; and Hurrican Church of God, which started out as a brush arbor. He had been preaching the gospel for 47 years. His other ministries included serving as assistant pastor of Tabernacle of Praise with Bro. Jack Dupree; volunteer Chaplain for Gordon Hospital; volunteer chaplain for the Gordon County Jail; and a radio ministry. He was so dedicated to the Lord's work, that if his car would not start, he would start out walking.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Shirley Herndon Grizzle Kirby; six sons, Mike Kirby of Calhoun, Jim Kirby and his wife Leiann of Rome, Tim Kirby and his wife Joy of Rome, Mark Kirby of Calhoun, Darrell Grizzle of Fairmount, and Dwayne Grizzle of Calhoun; three brothers, Arnold Kirby and his wife Liz, Rick Kirby and his wife Joyce, and Eddie Kirby and his wife Karen, all of Calhoun; and four sisters, Joyce Franklin, Odessa Davis and her husband L.C., Brenda Childers and her husband Dennis, and Barbara Childers and her husband Willard, all of Calhoun. Twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren also survive. Other survivors are special friends Thomas and Linda White, and Jerry and Dianne Weeks.

Funeral services for Rev J.B. Kirby will be held Tuesday, June 14th at 2:00pm from Evangelistic Outreach Ministries, with Rev. James Taylor and Rev. Eddie Brannon officiating. Interment will follow in the Haven of Rest Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will include Bryan Kirby, Barry Kirby, Jasper Kirby, Dwight Kirby, Brendon Kirby, and Josh Kirby. Honorary pallbearers are Wesley Grizzle, Peyton Grizzle, Thad Grizzle, Alex Kirby, Brad O'Mahony, Tim Pettit, and Brian Pettit.

The family will receive friends at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home Monday from 6:00pm until 9:00pm.

Online condolences may be expressed and the guest book signed a www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, a legacy of compassion and care, is in charge of funeral arrangements for Rev. J.B. Kirby, age 70 of Calhoun.