Lillian Kirby

Lillian May (Henderson) Kirby, 87, of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at The Groves, in Independence, Missouri, with her loving family by her side.

Lillian was born on October 22, 1929, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of the late Melvin and Lillian (Wilkinson) Henderson. She was predeceased by her infant sister, Diane Henderson and her former husbands, Dr. Robert (Bob) Carr, of Maryland and Bill Bayless, of Springfield, Missouri.

She was a proud graduate of Anacostia High School, Class of 1946 and attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, 1946-47, where she was an Aroha Sister, before her first marriage at age 17. She returned to Maryland where she worked for the Hecht Company department store as a model, attended Peabody Conservatory of Music, raised her family, participated in many social clubs and activities including the Glen Farms Civic Association, Boy Scouts of America, 4H, and the Women’s Civic Club of Elkton, and won awards for her clothing design and fabrication. She was a member of the Henderson Clan Society and was very proud of her Scottish heritage. Lillian graduated from Cecil College, while managing her husband’s dental practice, and making sure her family participated in church, Scouting, sports and music activities, attending games, services and outdoor events for her 5 children.

Lillian moved to Springfield, Missouri in 1980, where she took great joy in caring for her grandsons, watching them grow into manhood, spending summer vacations at Silver Dollar City and going to all their band and Scout activities. While in Springfield, Lillian graduated from Missouri State University, with a Bachelor of Arts-Cum Laude. She was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and was a life-long learner.

She taught watercolor painting as well as creative writing classes for the Springfield Adult Education program, as an adjunct faculty for Ozarks Technical Community College. She also enjoyed tutoring English as a second language and touched many lives through her skills. Lillian was an avid painter and left a legacy of hundreds of paintings, displayed at art shows and many private collections across the country. A common creative thread of art and music provided her many hours of enjoyment, enriching the local churches with piano and organ talent, directing choirs and playing at many ceremonies. Lillian had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing with the Auditorium Chorus for the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Lillian moved to Blue Springs, Missouri, in 1996, and helped raise another batch of grandchildren, growing up in her care. She enjoyed the companionship that comes with daily visits from the kids in an active family and was always ready with a snack, craft, song or story.

Lillian was an ordained minister in the Community of Christ and served as an Elder. She attended the Mission Woods congregation, where she shared her gift of service through providing leadership, music and the spoken word. She was a devout member for over 70 years and was honored to serve as Chaplain at the Temple in Independence, where she enjoyed discussing the mission of the church, and meeting people from all over the world, while witnessing and sharing her beliefs. Lillian was a prolific writer and published many daily devotionals and worship materials, which were used by the international church. Her devotion to the church, and her calling, was unwavering and was a path of light that she followed her whole life.

Lillian is survived by her husband, Technical Sergeant Don Kirby, US Air Force (Ret.) and her five children, Dr. Dennis Carr and his wife Meredith, of Elkton, Maryland, Dr. Brian Carr and his wife Jenn, of Elkton, Maryland, Sharon Carr Jenkins, BA Early Childhood Education, and her husband Roy Jenkins, of Springfield, Missouri, Dr. Lauren Carr and her husband Kevin Gard, of Blue Springs, Missouri, Robin Carr Hulse, APRN, and her husband Dr. Eddie Hulse, of Blue Springs, Missouri. She is also survived by her loving sisters, Dorothy Gundling, of Bluffton, South Carolina, Faith Beers, of Bradenton, Florida, and Janet Irby, of Novato, California, who were always with her, through graduations and weddings, on vacations, church conferences, family reunions and more. The four sisters were the bedrock of a large, energetic clan, and Lillian was blessed to have such loving family to accompany her through all the chapters of her life.

Lillian is survived by 17 grandchildren, Joshua Jenkins, Jordan Jenkins, Erin Carr Wells, Matthew Carr, Michael Carr, Sean Keenan, Molly Keenan, Karyn Carr Porter, Christopher Carr, Miranda Miller, Madison Miller, Lindsey Gard, Kelly Gard, Nathan Bruch, Harrison Bruch, Renee Bruch, and 7 great-grandchildren, 2 stepdaughters, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. At the most recent family gathering over Thanksgiving, there was much laughter and good stories, with Lily presiding over it all. She will be remembered always and missed forever, as the matriarch of the family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on April 15th, at 10:30 AM, at the Colonial Hills Community of Christ church, 3539 SW 7 Highway, Blue Springs, Missouri, 64015.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to the Temple Endowment Fund, in memory of Lillian Kirby, Community of Christ, c/o Presiding Bishopric 1001 W. Walnut Street, Independence, MO 64050.

For condolences, please visit www.speakschapel.com