Janet Kirby (81) died peacefully at home with her family surrounding her. Memorial services will be held in Paris, Texas on May 13, 2023 at Evergreen Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy (Jim) Fred Kirby, and her parents Florence and Cecil Tankersley, her brother Lloyd Tankersley, and her sister, Maxine Tankersley Blackwell and niece Regina Blackwell.
She is survived by her loving children; Jay (Carrie Lee) of Dallas, and Justin (Mindy Lea) of Rowlett; her five Grandsons, Justin Jr, Judson, James, Cooper and Cade; nieces, Rhonda Massey (Preston) Bonnie Hackman (Neil) and Elizabeth Fuller; nephews, Jeff Blackwell (Pat) Fred Brown (Brenda); brother in law, Bill Kirby (Liz) and sister in law, Gloria Kirby Abbott.
Janet Lee Kirby was born on July 6, 1941 to Florence and Cecil Tankersley, in Quitman, Texas. Growing up in Quitman, she began twirling the baton at at 5 and all through high school as an officer in the drill team. She was voted class favorite her senior year of high school. She graduated from Quitman High School in 1959 and then attended East Texas State College in Commerce, TX. During this time she became a member of the “Gamma Phi Beta Sorority”, Gamma Zeta Chapter and she began dating Jimmy (Jim) Fred Kirby.
Janet earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in 1963 and a vocational license in Home Making. She became a member of The American Association of University Women (AAUW). AAUW has been known to trailblaze for women, breaking down barriers and making the world more equitable for future generations. Shortly after graduation she married Jim Fred Kirby, in Quitman, Texas at the Myrtle Springs Baptist Church on June 29, 1963.
She lived in Dallas most of her adult life and they began their family there. She loved her boys, Jay Kirby and Justin Kirby and very much enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s events. One of her favorite things to do was pick up her grandson Jud after school and see them play sports. Janet was always very supportive as a wife.
Janet was an avid tennis player at Brookhaven country club. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining with Jim and the boys and traveling was something they really enjoyed as a family. They also enjoyed traveling with their best friends- Larry and Mary Click (Paris, TX) and Bob and Jan Harris (Dallas, TX.) But mostly, she was a wife who loved her husband and a Mom who loved all of her children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She will now be laid to rest with her loving husband Jim, in Paris, TX. Graveside service will be held on May 13, 2023
