Anne Harrell Kirby

Anne Harrell Kirby, 74, a lifelong resident of Florence, S.C., passed peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus on February 14, 2023, at home surrounded by her family singing her favorite hymns. She grew up attending Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she committed her life to Jesus as a young girl in a revival service, later attended Northgate and Southside Baptist Churches, and was a member of Bethany Free Will Baptist Church. Anne was born to Frank & Gladys Harrell on September 2, 1948, attended Florence schools, was a 1965 graduate of Southside High School, and a 1966 graduate of Florence-Darlington Technical College. She continued her education with several certificates, earning a Forklift Operator License and a Commercial Drivers License. She worked as an Inventory Control Specialist during her career at Shaw Walker/Mastercraft, Caloric/Maytag/Amana, and McLeod Regional Medical Center, retiring in 2014. Anne loved animals, especially her beloved furbabies Sweet Pea, Tiger, and Cali, singing in her church choirs, attending local southern gospel & bluegrass singings, watching “her boys” the Atlanta Braves each season, and spending time with her family and friends. In her younger years, she enjoyed water skiing and camping. Anne lived in Germany for two years while her husband was in the Army. She always treasured learning the culture and traveling to many European countries. She returned with several German antiques and she was known for the German Lebkuchen she made at Christmas each year. Interestingly, she had learned to make the recipe as a child from her dear great Aunt Aggie. Anne began a journey with renal cancer 8 years ago, but through the wonderful care of her medical team, Drs. Rao, Govindappa, Spencer, and Hyler, she continued to live a full and adventurous life. During that time, she married her prince, Gerald Kirby, who always called her his Goldilocks. They took several trips and vacations on their trike motorcycle, swam with dolphins in St. Augustine on her 70th birthday, were active in their children and grandchildren’s lives, and shared love to all those who knew her. Anne leaves behind to cherish her precious memories, her loving husband, Gerald Kirby; her daughters and their husbands, Dawn & Pat Callahan and Kim & Joey Rogers; her grandchildren, Drew & Emma Kate Rogers; Gerald’s children, Darla (Ben) Sutton, Lee (Crystal) Kirby, Jason (Dawn) Kirby, and Robert Kirby; his grandchildren, Micah Sutton, Kaylee & Levi Kirby, and Abigail, Alexis, & Austin Kirby; her former husband, Charles (Brenda) Newnham; her heart-children, Wayne Brady, Lori Wicker, and Jennie Nation; and many dear childhood and life-long friends, sweet and caring neighbors, loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Frank Harrell, Jr., and her late husband, Calvin Elliott. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church Chapel/Old Sanctuary, Florence, SC, with burial in the church cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Memorials may be made to Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, Greenwood, SC, or to Bethany Free Will Baptist Church, Timmonsville, SC. Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.