Barbara Anne (Whitten) Kirby

Barbara Anne Whitten Kirby, age 93, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2025, at the Charter Living Center in Jefferson City, Tennessee.  Barbara was born and raised in Morristown, TN to Perry and Mattie Sue Housley Whitten on February 16, 1932. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Gerald H. Kirby, son Steven Perry Kirby, son Brian Edward Kirby, and sister Helen Whitten Kincaid.

Barbara was an artist, photographer, writer, and teacher.  She received a bachelor’s degree in art education and design from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, with a minor in education and psychology.  She worked as a cross-categorical preschool instructor at the Center for Effective Learning in Virginia Beach, VA and co-wrote the “Skills Inventory” curriculum for physically disabled children. She received her master’s degree in special education and administration from George Washington University, with a concentration in supervision and human relations.   She continued to teach disabled children, their parents, and their teachers until her retirement in 1995.  In 1990, the Council for Exceptional Children awarded to Barbara the Jennie Brewer Award, “in recognition of an outstanding teacher of exceptional children.” Barbara published two collections of her writings – “The Onion: Parables from a Wounded Heart” in 2016, and “Talking to Myself” in 2021. She also served as a Sunday School teacher at the First Presbyterian Church in Morristown for many years.

Barbara is survived by her son, Reverend Charles Daniel Kirby and his wife Patricia; grandson, Jesse Kirby and his wife Jennifer; granddaughter, Emily Kirby Erb and her husband Nathan; and two great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Eleanor, all from Candler, NC.  She is also survived by a sister, Clara Sue Whitten Todd of Clyde, NC; a brother, John David Whitten of Morristown, TN; a niece, Patricia Kincaid Thurston and her husband Torin; a niece, Elaina Whitten and her mother Linda; and three nephews, Paul Kincaid, Frank Todd, and George Todd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to a favorite charity.

A memorial service will be held in the East Chapel of Allen Funeral Home at 2pm on Saturday, June 7, 2025.  The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 1pm.

Allen Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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