Earl B. Kirby, Sr., of Mansfield, passed away November 1, 2009, at the age of 78. Mr. Kirby was an Army Veteran, proudly serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, and recently became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. He was a member of Mansfield Baptist Church, and enjoyed gardening, fishing and traveling. Mr. Kirby and his wife, Rebecca, were also members of the Silver Sneakers Fitness Group at the Covington Fitness Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan Kirby and Lena Ledbetter Kirby; first wife, Patricia Kirby; and his brother, Preston Kirby.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Kirby; daughters and son-in-law, Dianna Kirby of Jonesboro, Deborah and Dale Gore of Park Hills, MO, Donna Boone of Griffin; son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Lisa Kirby of Monticello; step-children, Krista DeLisle, Nancy Smith, Jimmy, Tommy, and Tim Dodson; grandchildren, Joseph, Kayla, and Meagan Boone, Dewayne, Darren, and Dustin Gore, Brandon and Andrea Kirby; great-granddaughter, Alexis Gore; sister, Katherine Dennis of Hogansville, GA; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Kirby will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 1 PM, at Mansfield Baptist Church, with Dr. Jeff Perkins officiating, and interment following in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 3134 Floyd St., in Covington, Tuesday, November 3, from 5-8 PM. Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made to Mansfield Baptist Church, the "3 R's", 101 Woodlawn Rd., Mansfield, GA 30055.