Mr. Ronald David Kirby, 71, of Kite passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Emanuel Medical Center following an extended illness.

 

Mr. Kirby was born January 1, 1951, in Swainsboro to David Kirby and Hazel Smith Kirby.  He was preceded in death by his father; wife, Brenda Kersey Kirby; granddaughter, Kristen Kirby; brothers, Wayne Kirby and Danny Kirby. Ronald left home at the age of 17 to marry Brenda Kersey. Ronald and Brenda met at Sam’s Drive-In. Ronald would go on to tell the story of how he would go to court Brenda. One night when leaving Brenda’s parents’ house, Ronald jumped in his car to leave and accidentally got in the back seat. His first thought was, “Someone stole my steering wheel.” Ronald and Brenda would go on to have five kids. Ronald would always say he wanted enough for a ball team, but Brenda decided five was enough. Ronald was a carpenter by trade, he was very talented and could work on anything. There were very few things he couldn’t repair. Ronald loved having animals, he would always have something, from horses to chickens to goats. He also loved to hunt and fish.  He believed if you killed it, you should eat it. Ronald never killed anything just for fun or sport. Ronald loved Brenda and his children. He didn’t always make the best decisions, but like the rest of us, he did the best he could. One of Ronald’s favorite sayings to his children was, “Think about what you’re going to say before you say it”. These are wise words. Once spoken, words have the power to hurt, heal, or make someone’s day brighter. You never know your words could be the last words spoken to someone before they pass. Finally, our daddy was not a perfect man, but he was our perfect dad. He was in love with his Lord Jesus Christ. Now he walks on the streets of gold with our Lord.

 

He is survived by his sons, Brad Kirby (Sybil) of Adrian, Brian Kirby (Melissa) of Kite; daughters, Samantha Logue (Stephen) of Dublin, Stephanie Cowart (Billy) of Garfield, Meloney Raines of Kite; mother, Hazel Kirby of Nunez; brother, Bruce Kirby (Dana) of Nunez; sister, Diane Kirby of Swainsboro; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

 

Funeral Services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022, in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverend Lamar Kersey. 

 

Interment will follow in Williams Chapel Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Chapman Funeral Home. 

 

Pallbearers will be Mitchell Cowart, Caleb Cowart, Tyler Kirby, Michael Wilson, Davy Kirby and Mark Kirby.

 

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com

 

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Ronald David Kirby, 71, of Kite.