Mary Kirby

Mary Ruth (Miller) Kirby, 86 of Independence, MO joined her Lord and Savior and her family on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the home of her daughter. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2012 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the chapel. Donations may be made in her name to the International Firefighters Local #718. Ruth, as she was know by her friends, was born September 9, 1925 in Kansas City, KS to James and Hazel (Brookes) Miller. She spent her formative years in the Norris community of Henry County. She later left home and moved to Sedalia, MO where she was employed at a photo processing plant. While in Sedalia she met Charles Kirby, and they married in 1950. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Bolivar, MO where their two daughters, Audrey and Sandi were born. In 1958 they moved to Independence where they spent the remainder of their lives. Ruth worked for Lake City Ammunition Plant, she was a crossing guard and worked in food service at the Medical Center of Independence, but the most important job to her was being a devoted wife and mother. Lots of Sunday dinners were held at her home and all of her sisters and their families would be there. She truly enjoyed these times because family was so important to her. Ruth was one of the founding members of the International Firefighters Local #718 Ladies Auxiliary in Independence, MO and she was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles in 2007, her parents and six sisters and a son-in-law. She is survived by her daughters, Sandi Jackson of the home, Audrey Peterson (Gerald) of Independence, MO; grandsons, Dustin and Clint Jackson of the home, Sean Jackson (Kristin) of Independence, MO; a great granddaughter, Cheyenne Jackson and several nieces, nephews and friends.