Mary Lou Epling-Kirby of Bluefield, WV, died February 8, 2020, at Greystone in Raleigh County. She received her education at Northfork High School, graduating in 1942. After attending McLain's Business College in Bluefield, VA, she was employed as secretary for Gilliam Coal Company until marriage in 1947. Her husband's employment transfers took them to Oak Hill, Kopperston, Oceana, Sophia and Bluewell. While living in Sophia, she was secretary at First Christian Church in Beckley, secretary for the Women's Society of Christian Service (Methodist) and a subdistrict counselor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Moving to Bluewell in 1965, she served as secretary for the Bluefield District Women's Society of Christian Service and held other district offices as well. Mary Lou held various leadership roles at Bluewell United Methodist Church and worked for four years as Administrative Secretary at Glenwood Park United Methodist Home, where she eventually served as Glenwood's Board Chairwoman. Mary Lou was noted for her creativity. She wrote poetry, skits and programs for local church and district presentations.
Born July 1, 1925, at Keystone, WV, to the late Luster Ransom Epling (1877-1966) and Ida Elizabeth Maxey-Epling (1882-1949); five brothers; four sisters; three sisters-in-law; her son, Michael "Mike" Wayne Kirby (1952-2019); and her husband of 66 years, Clarence J. "Sam" Kirby, Jr. (1925-Deceased) whom she married on June 1, 1947 in Bluefield, Mercer County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, McDowell County, WV, 1947, Page 16, Application Date: May 26, 1947).
She is survived by her son David Allen Kirby & wife Anna Lou Kirby of Daniels, WV; daughter- in-law, Lynne Kirby of Roanoke, VA; sisters-in-law Dona Kirby of Bluefield, VA, and Juanita Epling of Roanoke, VA; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and many wonderful friends, including two very special people, Lana Hartzog and Robin Veneri Legg.
At her request, Mary Lou Kirby wished to be cremated. A memorial gathering will be announced for a future date.
Born July 1, 1925, at Keystone, WV, to the late Luster Ransom Epling (1877-1966) and Ida Elizabeth Maxey-Epling (1882-1949); five brothers; four sisters; three sisters-in-law; her son, Michael "Mike" Wayne Kirby (1952-2019); and her husband of 66 years, Clarence J. "Sam" Kirby, Jr. (1925-Deceased) whom she married on June 1, 1947 in Bluefield, Mercer County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, McDowell County, WV, 1947, Page 16, Application Date: May 26, 1947).
She is survived by her son David Allen Kirby & wife Anna Lou Kirby of Daniels, WV; daughter- in-law, Lynne Kirby of Roanoke, VA; sisters-in-law Dona Kirby of Bluefield, VA, and Juanita Epling of Roanoke, VA; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and many wonderful friends, including two very special people, Lana Hartzog and Robin Veneri Legg.
At her request, Mary Lou Kirby wished to be cremated. A memorial gathering will be announced for a future date.
Mary Lou Epling-Kirby of Bluefield, WV, died February 8, 2020, at Greystone in Raleigh County. She received her education at Northfork High School, graduating in 1942. After attending McLain's Business College in Bluefield, VA, she was employed as secretary for Gilliam Coal Company until marriage in 1947. Her husband's employment transfers took them to Oak Hill, Kopperston, Oceana, Sophia and Bluewell. While living in Sophia, she was secretary at First Christian Church in Beckley, secretary for the Women's Society of Christian Service (Methodist) and a subdistrict counselor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Moving to Bluewell in 1965, she served as secretary for the Bluefield District Women's Society of Christian Service and held other district offices as well. Mary Lou held various leadership roles at Bluewell United Methodist Church and worked for four years as Administrative Secretary at Glenwood Park United Methodist Home, where she eventually served as Glenwood's Board Chairwoman. Mary Lou was noted for her creativity. She wrote poetry, skits and programs for local church and district presentations.
Born July 1, 1925, at Keystone, WV, to the late Luster Ransom Epling (1877-1966) and Ida Elizabeth Maxey-Epling (1882-1949); five brothers; four sisters; three sisters-in-law; her son, Michael "Mike" Wayne Kirby (1952-2019); and her husband of 66 years, Clarence J. "Sam" Kirby, Jr. (1925-Deceased) whom she married on June 1, 1947 in Bluefield, Mercer County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, McDowell County, WV, 1947, Page 16, Application Date: May 26, 1947).
She is survived by her son David Allen Kirby & wife Anna Lou Kirby of Daniels, WV; daughter- in-law, Lynne Kirby of Roanoke, VA; sisters-in-law Dona Kirby of Bluefield, VA, and Juanita Epling of Roanoke, VA; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and many wonderful friends, including two very special people, Lana Hartzog and Robin Veneri Legg.
At her request, Mary Lou Kirby wished to be cremated. A memorial gathering will be announced for a future date.
Born July 1, 1925, at Keystone, WV, to the late Luster Ransom Epling (1877-1966) and Ida Elizabeth Maxey-Epling (1882-1949); five brothers; four sisters; three sisters-in-law; her son, Michael "Mike" Wayne Kirby (1952-2019); and her husband of 66 years, Clarence J. "Sam" Kirby, Jr. (1925-Deceased) whom she married on June 1, 1947 in Bluefield, Mercer County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, McDowell County, WV, 1947, Page 16, Application Date: May 26, 1947).
She is survived by her son David Allen Kirby & wife Anna Lou Kirby of Daniels, WV; daughter- in-law, Lynne Kirby of Roanoke, VA; sisters-in-law Dona Kirby of Bluefield, VA, and Juanita Epling of Roanoke, VA; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and many wonderful friends, including two very special people, Lana Hartzog and Robin Veneri Legg.
At her request, Mary Lou Kirby wished to be cremated. A memorial gathering will be announced for a future date.
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