Armanda Louisa Kirby

Service Details

https://youtu.be/8NBhmR2hGxkThere will be a Homegoing Service held in the funeral home on Tuesday, December 29th at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop L.L. Kirby officiating. There will be a visitation in the funeral home from 10:00 a.m until the time of  the service. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, the service will be private for family only with a 25 person limit. Entombment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park.

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Armanda Louisa Martin was born on August 5, 1918 to her parents, the late David Quitman Martin and Ruby Lee (Nee: Palmer) Martin in Mounds, IL. She was the third of five children. Armanda, her parents and siblings moved to Dewmaine, IL when she was two years old. She graduated from Booker T. Washington Grade School in Dewmaine. She continued her education in Colp, IL graduating Herrin Township High School in 1935. There she met and fell in love with her future husband, Norvel E. Kirby, Sr. They married in Marian, IL on August 1, 1939 and would go on to be married for 62 years. From this union God blessed them with five children, Palmer, Ruby, Janice, Norvel Jr., and Scott.

The young couple moved to Colp, IL building their first home with the help from friends, family and nephew Ronald who was a pre-teen roofer. Their two older children were born there. The family then relocated to Racine, WI in 1946 seeking a better life and working conditions. For three years they lived at the Southside Trailer Camp, until finding a house to rent. It was here she met Sally Crenshaw, a close friend to her and the family, who was almost like a second sister and confidant to Armanda. The last three children were born in 1947, 1958 and 1962.

Armanda enjoyed sewing and being a homemaker. Her natural talent for sewing was enhanced at the Racine Vocational School under the influence of instructor Mrs. Hartnett. Armanda was the best in class and the only Black in the class. She sewed for her children, family and the public. One of her creations was made for a buyer at Zahn’s Department Store. That dress was displayed in the window at Zahn’s which was a true achievement for her as a seamstress.

In 1954, Armanda joined St. Paul Baptist Church with her husband, Norvel Sr. and two older children, Palmer and Ruby. They were all baptized by Rev. J.B. Bailey. She joined the gospel choir and was also a helper at Summer Vacation Bible School.

For a short time she was employed at St. Luke’s Hospital. Under the guidance of Mrs. Ella Mae Pinegar, a service club was formed, “The Ladies in Blue.” The members were Ailene Mitchell, Dorothy Jones-Clark, Jennie Stills, Mrs. Turner, and Armanda. Mrs. Pinegar influenced people to always help others and that lesson always stayed with her.

Memories Armanda enjoyed most were family road trips to southern Illinois and Ohio, picnics to Petrifying Springs on weekends and remembering seeing Ella Fitzgerald at a club in East St. Louis (this was a story she told many times). She liked music from the 40’s; The Mills Brothers and Nat King Cole were some of her favorites.

Armanda would like to be remembered as a seamstress, homemaker and making “egg-less” apple cake with orange cream cheese frosting. She always taught her children to walk the straight and narrow path and to be an individual.

Armanda Louisa Kirby passed on December 14, 2020. Armanda was preceded in death by her parents David Quitman and Ruby Lee Martin, her husband Norvel E. Kirby, Sr., brothers James and Johnny, sisters Virginia (infancy) and Mildred Martin, and her grandson Darryl Kirby.

She is survived by her children Palmer (Yvonne) Kirby of Racine, WI; Ruby aka Ria (Bill) Young of Franklin, WI; Janice (Oscar) Bond of Milwaukee, WI; Norvel Kirby, Jr. and Scott Kirby of Racine, WI. Armanda is also survived by her grandchildren: Bryant (Tonja) Kirby of Wildwood, MO; Vikki Rowe of Franklin, WI; Joel Bond of Milwaukee, WI; and Dana Bond of Phoenix, AZ. Her great-grandchildren: Justin Nelson of Texas; Justin Kirby of Florida; Keyland and Kennedi Kirby of Wildwood, MO; India (Mike) Garr of Mequon, WI; Devin and Alia Kirby of Milwaukee, WI; Christopher, Cameron, Kieran, and Kendell Rowe of Franklin, WI; her soon to be great-great grandson “Baby Rowe”; her nephew and family historian Ronald (Marge) Kirby of Phoenix, AZ; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Armanda will be greatly missed, and her memory will be forever carried in the hearts, minds and spirits of all those who love her.

Special Thanks To:

Yolanda, Home Health Aide from Brightstar; Truda Swanson, Care Transition Coordinator; Lari Petti- business manager and “Ma’s angel”; Angela Lasnicka, her social worker; and Chaplin Paul

Acknowledgements:

Dr. Gerald Wisniewski, the nursing/hospice staff at Ascension Living Lakeshore at Siena; and Draeger Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory and their entire staff