Nellie Kirby

Nellie Sue Freeman Kirby, 81, of Boiling Springs, SC, died Thursday, April 17, 2013, at Rosecrest Healthcare Center-Inman, SC. Born February 14, 1932, in Cullman, AL, she was the daughter of the late John Richard and Clara Ruth Umphrey Freeman. On December 23, 1950, at the age of 18, she married Andrew Jackson Kirby. Nell is a child of God and is a member of First Baptist North Spartanburg and has been an active member of the Friendship Sunday School Class for years. She is an avid flower and horticulture lover and following are some of the accomplishments she earned: lifetime member of The National Garden Club Association, lifetime member of The Garden Club of South Carolina, Master lifetime member of The Judges Club of South Carolina, Master Flower Show Judge, Master American Iris Judge, Certified Lifetime Member of The Garden Studies Club, Master Landscape Design Critic, member of In-depth Study Club. One year, she won the most blue ribbons in horticulture and in the same year won the most blue ribbons in artistic design in South Carolina. Surviving is her devoted husband of 62 years, Andrew Jackson Kirby; three daughters, Bettina Betsy Kirby "Tina" Kelly (Eddie Dean), Nina Lizzette Kirby Stephens (Ronald Paul), and Deana Melena Kirby Pfeiffer (James Alan); seven grandchildren, Jeffry Dean Kelly (Nicole), Christina Dawn Kelly Long (Brian), Jason Eugene Womick (Jennifer), Justin Andrew Womick (Holly), Jessica Lynn Pfeiffer Johnson (Erik), James "Jimmy" Alan Pfeiffer Jr. (Tiffany), and Sabrina Danielle Pfeiffer; and six great-grandchildren, Makayla Larissa Kelly, Mason Dean Kelly, Lucy Aleena Womick, Catherine Kelly Long, Keller Sean Johnson, and Olivia Grace Johnson. Nell was raised in a family of 17 brothers and sisters, and it wasn't always easy with a family that size. Surviving family members are: Opal Forrester of Huntsville, AL, Jewel McCoy of Hueytown, AL, Ruby Cox of Hayden, AL, Martha Fuller, Juanita Waldrop, Wilma Whitehead, Billy Freeman, Leon Freeman, Jessie Freeman, and Freddie Freeman, all of Cullman, AL; and a world of aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces that could go on forever. In addition to her parents, she is also predeceased by a sister, Ruth Wisner; and a brother, Jack Freeman. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, April 19, 2013, at Floyd's Boiling Springs Chapel, 4081 Hwy 9 North, Boiling Springs, SC 29316. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 20, 2013, at First Baptist North Spartanburg, by the Rev. Al Phillips. Entombment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist North Spartanburg Saints Alive Group, 8740 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29316; or the American Iris Society, 701 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln, NE 68512. The family is at the home. Floyd's Boiling Springs Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Nellie Sue Freeman Kirby please visit our Sympathy Store.