Ruby Maurene Rodgers Kirby

Ruby Rodgers Kirby went peacefully to her heavenly home on July 3, 2021. Born in Lynchburg, Va., July 15, 1924, to the late Hubert North Rodgers and Hilda Otey Rodgers, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years William L. “Bill” Kirby, sisters, Mary White of Upper Marlboro, Md., Dana Tyree of Lynchburg, and Bettie Doss of Colonial Heights.

She was an active member of Salem Baptist Church for many years where she helped organize the Senior Adult BALL (Be Active, Live Longer) Group and received a Certificate of Visitation for 10 years of volunteering from the Baptist Visitation Committee. Ruby was a member of the Virginia State Police Association Auxiliary, the Fort Lewis Chapter DAR, and for numerous years delivered Meals on Wheels for the League of Older Americans in Salem.

She was a progressive thinker. Always kind to and thoughtful of others, she advocated for the underdog and served those less fortunate. She will be forever remembered by her family and many dear and faithful Christian friends for her sense of humor, funny little sayings, stories, and songs.

Surviving are her children, Barbara Kirby Jones (Dean) of Salem, Dianne Kirby Brown of New Castle, and William L. “Chip” Kirby (Ginger) of Salem; grandchildren, Christopher Jones (Kim) of Roanoke, Andrea Jones Sevel (Drew) of Columbus, Ohio, Bryan Jones (Melissa) of Westminster, Md., Khuong Dinh (Annie) of Kailua, Hawaii, Mai Khan Dong (Patrick) of Benica, Calif., Vu Tran of Salem, Laura Jones of Salem, Kirby “Casey” Brown of Spring, Texas, Leah Brown Ryan (Joshua) of Powell, Tenn., Scott Bolen (Sonia) of Vinton, Johnathan Kirby of Salem, and Melissa Kirby Adams (Jeremy) of Salem. She was known as GeeGee to 15 great-grandchildren: Sarah and Kathryn Jones, Ethan and Caleb Sevel, Ellyson and Archer Jones, Eli Gilbert, Ezekiel, Malachi and Mathias Ryan, Miles Kirby Adams, Sawyer and Ainsley Bolen, Audrey Dinh and Kate Dong.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 12, 2021, from 4 until 6 pm at John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 10:30 am in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Heath Rickmond and Rev. Tom Clark officiating. A short graveside service will follow at 2:45 pm at Fort Hill Memorial Park, in Lynchburg, Va.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ruby’s memory to Meals on Wheels, Virginia State Police Auxiliary, or Wounded Warrior Project.