Fred Kirby

Fred "Worry" Kirby, 80, of Pacolet, SC, died Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born October 28, 1935, in Pacolet Mills, SC, he was the son of the late Rufus Guy Kirby and Lillie Murray Kirby and husband of the late Betty Ruth Duncan Kirby. A retired U. S. Army Reserve veteran, Mr. Kirby served with the National Guard for 42 years. He was a faithful member of Brown's Chapel Baptist Church where he was an adult choir member and served as Sunday School Clerk for over 40 years. He epitomized being a servant of the Lord by faithfully visiting the hospital and nursing homes each week. Worry was also a two-term member of the Pacolet Mills Town Council, a member of Trough Shoals Lodge #228 AFM, and a charter member of Pacolet Mills Rescue Squad and the Pacolet Mills Museum Committee. He was the honored recipient of the Pacolet Citizen of the Year Award in 2000 and served on the Board of the Pacolet Mills Amphitheater Committee. He was employed at Milliken Packaging-Whitestone for 41 years, retiring in January 2004 and was awarded the SC Textile Citizen Award in 1996 by Governor David Beasley. Survivors include his children, Randy Kirby of Pacolet, SC, Lee Kirby (Margaret) of Woodruff, SC, and Dianne Nickols of Boiling Springs, SC; grandchildren, Steven Randall Kirby of Moore, SC, Jenny Kirby and Miranda Kirby of Pacolet, SC, Kyla Nickols Perey of Ft. Mill, SC, and Terri Hammond of Woodruff, SC; great-grandchild, James Hammond, Taylor Hammond, Samantha Perey and Sullivan Perey; and brother, Bill Kirby of Grover, NC. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a grandson, Ernie Nickols; daughter, Lynn Kirby; sister, Becky Wall; brothers, Ivey Kirby and Alfred Kirby; and son-in-law, Allen Nickols. Visitation will be 2:00-3:45 PM Friday, April 29, 2016, at Brown's Chapel Baptist Church, 350 Green Street, Pacolet, SC 29372. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. Ralph Jett and the Rev. Dr. Tim Fowler. Burial will be in Pacolet Memorial Gardens, 141 Memorial Dr., Pacolet, SC 29372. Memorials may be made to NYC Ministries, c/o Brown's Chapel Baptist Church, 188 Chapman Road, Pacolet, SC 29372. Pallbearers are Tony Blanchard, Phil Harris, Paul Freeman, Bo Moss, Bobby Joe Wells, and Darryl Padgett. A special thank you is expressed to "Guardian Angels" Vicki and Neville Brown and Steve and Wanda Wall. The family is at their respective homes. Floyd's Pacolet Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Fred "Worry" Kirby please visit our Sympathy Store.