Obituary of Joan Kirby

Lyolene Joan “Jo” Kirby, 83 of Liberal, MO, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2019. She was born September 29, 1935, in Runnelsville, MO, to Alene Bernice (James) and Lyle Eugene Runnels.  Joan was baptized in Bill Flaker’s creek, then became a member of Nashville Christian Church and later Hannon Freewill Baptist Church. She was a SW Bell telephone operator in Joplin, MO and Pittsburg, KS.  She married James Dale “JD” Kirby February 19, 1956, in Nashville, MO, at the Christian Church. She taught Sunday school and VBS. Jo enjoyed cooking and gardening and used these skills to help out her neighbors when needed. Her eldest son Tim Kirby, passed away in 1983. Joan is survived by her husband, a daughter; Kimbra (Randy) Brunk of Arma, KS, 2 sons Kyle (Cindy) Kirby and Scott (Melanie) Kirby of Liberal, MO,  Grandchildren; Kirby, Josie, Kelsey, Kendall, Reed, Kale, Kennedy and Ty, Great-grandchildren; Conner, Addison, Gage, Brody, Shelby and Carter, her brother; Jerry (Janet) Runnels and sister; Pam Runnels Gregory (Doug), of Runnelsville, MO, and Peggy Dickey, her caregiver. Her parents preceded her in death. 

There will be a visitation Monday January 7, from 6 to 8 PM at the Konantz Warden Funeral Home in Lamar, MO.  The funeral is set for Tuesday January 8th, 10 AM, at the Hannon Free Will Baptist Church on V Highway near Liberal, MO. Burial will follow at the Nashville, MO, Cemetery. 

Donations suggested to Nashville Cemetery Association or Hannon Freewill Baptist Youth Group