Rayford D. 'Ray' Kirby

Rayford D. 'Ray' Kirby died at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, September 17, 2017. Ray was born in Gordon County on August 26, 1948. He was the son of the late Rayford Kirby; his mother, Dimple Blalock Kirby, survives him. Ray's first wife, Helen Fowler Kirby, preceded him in death in 1984. Ray proudly served his country in The United States Army. He retired from Bellsouth, and then retired from the City of Calhoun. Ray was a member of Echota Baptist Church; he had been ordained as a deacon at Reeves Baptist Church. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and golf. He excelled as an athlete in baseball and basketball. Ray won a national championship in archery. Along with his wife, Celia, he enjoyed maintaining beautiful flower gardens and working in their yard. He treasured his granddaughters; the entire family will always remember his kindness and his jovial way of looking at life.
Along with his mother, Dimple Kirby, Ray is survived by his wife Celia Kirby, to whom he was happily married for thirty-two years; his daughter, Jennifer Kirby; his son and daughter-in-law, Jamey and Melissa Kirby; his step-son, Robert Pelfrey; his sisters and brother-in-law, Patricia Frix, Joyce Blackstock, and Sandy and Randy Tate; his granddaughters, Paris Kirby, Raylen Kirby, and Kinzley Kirby; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
The Kirby family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Echota Baptist Church.
The funeral service will conducted on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from Echota Baptist Church. Burial will follow the service at West Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Pastor Randy Davis and Rev. Eddie Brannon will officiate. Music will be arranged by Randy Jones and the Echota Baptist Church Choir. Pallbearers are Mathew Blackstock, Corey Tate, Shane Tinch, David Fowler, Edward Fowler, and Casey Tate; honorary pallbearers are Larry Stamey, Randy Seabolt, Lane Temple, William Fowler, Robert Fowler, and Kipp Conley.
Flowers are being accepted, or memorial s in Rays memory may be made to the Sheriffs Auxiliary, 2700 US Hwy 41 NW, Calhoun, Georgia 30701; or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
Friends may sign the online guest register at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun.