1936
Shirley
2016
Shirley Hartmann Kirby
May 22, 1936 — August 7, 2016
Shirley Hartmann Kirby, 80, of Lynchburg, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016. Born on May 22, 1936, in Ohio, she was the daughter of the late John Walter Hartmann and the late Kathryn Lofty Hartmann.
Shirley was the loving wife of Vernon Douglas Kirby. She and Doug were high school sweethearts at Brookville High School, and then went on to lead separate lives for 45 years. They found each other again and married in March 2000 in a beautiful circle of love.
In addition to her beloved husband Doug, Shirley leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, John Browning Odell and his wife Peg of Cooperstown, N.Y., Beth Odell Dunn and her husband Scott of Newport News, Va., and Scott Andrew Odell of Richmond, Va.; her siblings, Nancy Welker and her husband Phil of Roseland, Va., and Raymond Hartmann of Gulfport, Miss.; her eight grandchildren; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Judge John B. Odell of Newport News, Va.
For Shirley, nursing was a profession to which she remained faithful throughout her life. A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia with a Master of Science in Nursing, she dedicated many years to raising the profession’s next generations as she directed the Riverside Hospital School of Professional Nursing in Newport News. She also administered other medical programs at Riverside and later served on the state accreditation board for schools of nursing.
Through all of this world’s joys and tears, Shirley remained a faithful witness of God’s love. She was an active member of First Baptist Church and Orcutt Baptist Church during her years in Newport News, and most recently of Timberlake United Methodist Church in Lynchburg.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 11 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of Shirley’s life will take place immediately afterward at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel, with Pastor Brad McMullen and Estelle Holt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions should consider the Alzheimer’s Association.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
Click here to watch Shirley’s memorial video
Shirley was the loving wife of Vernon Douglas Kirby. She and Doug were high school sweethearts at Brookville High School, and then went on to lead separate lives for 45 years. They found each other again and married in March 2000 in a beautiful circle of love.
In addition to her beloved husband Doug, Shirley leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, John Browning Odell and his wife Peg of Cooperstown, N.Y., Beth Odell Dunn and her husband Scott of Newport News, Va., and Scott Andrew Odell of Richmond, Va.; her siblings, Nancy Welker and her husband Phil of Roseland, Va., and Raymond Hartmann of Gulfport, Miss.; her eight grandchildren; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Judge John B. Odell of Newport News, Va.
For Shirley, nursing was a profession to which she remained faithful throughout her life. A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia with a Master of Science in Nursing, she dedicated many years to raising the profession’s next generations as she directed the Riverside Hospital School of Professional Nursing in Newport News. She also administered other medical programs at Riverside and later served on the state accreditation board for schools of nursing.
Through all of this world’s joys and tears, Shirley remained a faithful witness of God’s love. She was an active member of First Baptist Church and Orcutt Baptist Church during her years in Newport News, and most recently of Timberlake United Methodist Church in Lynchburg.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 11 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of Shirley’s life will take place immediately afterward at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel, with Pastor Brad McMullen and Estelle Holt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions should consider the Alzheimer’s Association.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
Click here to watch Shirley’s memorial video
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Hartmann Kirby, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors