KIRBY, ROYCE LEE - Faulkner County, Arkansas | ROYCE LEE KIRBY - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Royce Lee KIRBY

Martinville Cemetery
Faulkner County,
Arkansas

May 27, 1936 - Mar 11, 2022

*Obituary

Royce Lee Kirby, 85, passed from this life on March 11, 2022. He was born May 27, 1936, in Greenbrier, Arkansas, to the late Howard and Ora Mae Beene Kirby.

He was a 1954 graduate of Greenbrier High School where he was a member of the basketball team. He loves sharing stories of being pulled from class as a senior to drive the school bus when needed. He married and moved to Conway where he and Anne raised their family. He worked at International Shoe Factory, was a co-owner and owner/operator of several different gas stations through the years and spent much of his work career as a salesman for L & S Concrete. After retirement, he returned to the work part-time as a salesman for Webco Mining where he stayed until he retired again to care for his wife during her time with dementia. The love and care he gave her during her illness served as an example for all.

He enjoyed some long-time friendships that he cherished. Through the years, they enjoyed numerous domino games, annual pheasant hunting trips, and playing in and watching golf tournaments. In the 90's he and long-time friend, Russ, spent many weekends in Fayetteville watching his nephew Brian play baseball for the Razorbacks. He was also an avid UCA Bears fan, where he served as a member of the chain gang and especially when his future son-in-law Randy played.

Following Anne's retirement, the couple moved to Lake Conway where they enjoyed fishing, gardening, and hosting their family and friends. Their grandchildren made a lifetime of memories in their time there. They made several good friends in their neighborhood and had renters who became family.

He spent the last two and a half years living with family, surrounded by love and laughter. He especially enjoyed his three great grandsons whom he saw regularly as Covid allowed. He welcomed a fourth one at the end of the year and was expecting a great granddaughter, Parker Mel Huffstickler, in July.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Anne Harmon Kirby; his brother, Vernon Kirby; infant great-granddaughter, Ava Grace Guerin; and sister-in-law, Tommye Carol Gwin.

Left to cherish his memories are his children, Debi (David) Avra, Dianne (Randy) Huffstickler, and Donny Kirby; grandchildren, Allison (Pete) Guerin, Ashley (Jim) Clark, Lacey (Jason) McNeil, Beau Kirby, Kirby Huffstickler, Tyler (Sam) Huffstickler; and great-grandchildren McKayla and Reese Betts, Tripp Guerin, and Miller, Cole and Cooper Clark. Also surviving include his brother, Curtis (Cindy); sister-in-law, Betty Kirby; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a few long-time very special friends.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 14 at Conway Roller McNutt. Due to the anticipated weather, the graveside service has been moved to Greenbrier Roller McNutt at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, followed by interment at the Martinville Cemetery with Bro. Freddie Mark Wilcox officiating. His grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family would like to thank Drs. John Smith, Caleb Dickson, and Annette Anderson; Nurse Brandy Smith and Kindred Hospice, and Melissa Hight for the exceptional care they provided during his illness. Our hearts are broken, but we are at peace knowing he has been released from the grips of Alzheimer's and joining our mother in heaven for her 85 birthday.

Published by Log Cabin Democrat on Mar. 12, 2022.

Contributed on 3/15/22 by hawkinsdonna48
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 1425326

To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.

Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.

Submitted: 3/15/22 • Approved: 3/22/22 • Last Updated: 3/25/22 • R1425326-G0-S3

Surnames  |  Other GPP Projects  |  Contact Us  |  Terms of Use  |  Site Map  |  Admin Login