Mrs. Effie Hargrave Kirby's Obituary
Mrs. Effie Hargrave Kirby died in her home on August 1, 2024 in La Crosse, Florida. She was 12 days shy of her 96th birthday.
Effie was born at Alachua General Hospital on August 13, 1928. She was among the first babies to be born at that hospital. Effie grew up in North Florida: Gainesville up to 5th grade, Brooker during 5th and 6th grade, and in 7th grade moved to the farm outside of LaCrosse. When her father was asked what he was raising on the farm, he replied “my children”. Effie started playing the piano at 5 years old when her Aunt Elsie spent a summer with her family and gave Effie her first piano lessons. She became the church pianist by the time she was 13 years old and served at different time as the pianist, organist, choir director, organized vacation bible school, and more into her 90’s.
Effie attended Florida State University and graduated in 1950 with a double major in choral and instrumental music education. She and her long-time sweetheart, JT Kirby Jr., taught school at Bushnell High and they were married on Thanksgiving Day of 1950. Then they moved back to Gainesville where Effie and JT continued their education. In 1954 Effie graduated with a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida while her husband, JT, finished his Doctoral degree in Educational Administration in 1957. They had their first two children, John and Joe, while in Gainesville. Then they moved to Tallahassee in 1960 where JT worked as the Research Director at the Florida Education Association and Effie had their third son, Tom. When the state opened a new university at Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, JT was invited to join the founding faculty there. Seeing an opportunity, JT and Effie and the then three children made the pilgrimage to the wilds of South Florida where their 4th child, Penelope, was born. Effie now has eleven grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
After JT retired in 1985, JT and Effie became frequent RV travelers. They RV'ed in the 49 continental states, visiting Alaska three times, traveled in all of the Canadian provinces and about half of the Mexican states. Wherever they have lived they have been active church members and community participants. Philosophically, they believe in leaving a community, a school, and especially the young people around them as better places or people because of their involvement.
Effie Hargrave Kirby was predeceased by her husband, John Thomas Kirby Jr., her son Robert Thomas Kirby, and all of her and her husband’s siblings. Effie is survived by three children and their spouses: John Turner Kirby Sr. (Dee Schultz Kirby), Joseph Henry Kirby Sr. (Rose Forsythe Kirby), and Penelope Ann Kirby (Kenneth Kopczynski); the spouse of Robert Thomas: Margie Chesel Kirby; her grandchildren, Kendal Kirby, Kelsie Kirby, John Turner Kirby Jr, Joseph Henry Kirby Jr., Jeffrey Kirby, Eva Kirby Kays, Elizabeth Kirby Dolbier, Colleen Kirby Borneman, Matthew Kirby, Tristan Kirby-Kopczynski, Alizbeta Kirby-Kopczynski; great grandchildren, Lucille Plocinski, Harrison Plocinski, Emallee Kirby, Kley Kirby, Kayden Kirby, Annaleese Kirby, Kyal Kirby, Sophee Kirby, Karsten Kirby, Dylan Decueber, Stephanie Decueber, RJ Holton, Ren Kirby, Henry Kirby, Cassandra Kays, Emily Kays, Zander Poole, Elora Kays, Alistair Kays, Lily Kays, Clarissa Dolbier, Iris Lucille Borneman, MacKenna Kirby, Madison Kirby, Camryn Kirby, John Kirby
and great-great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 10:00AM at Antioch Baptist Church 3612 NW 177th Ave., Gainesville, with Pastor Daniel Kendall officiating. Family will receive friends beginning at 9:00AM. Burial and reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, La Crosse Campus.
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