Bettie Kirby

Bettie Kirby, a remarkable mother, devoted grandmother and frequently celebrated great-grandmother, died Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Columbus, Ga. She was 93.

Born Bettie Colleen Hinton in Paris, Ky., Sept. 21, 1931, she was the daughter of Lucien Hinton and Sylvin Doyle. Bettie grew up on a farm, became an honor student and married Charles Kirby, her high school sweetheart.

Over a 71-year marriage they would grow a family, frequently moving as job promotions took them to Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio. In every community, Bettie quickly became active in serving and teaching roles in the local Methodist church, and supportive opportunities in the academic and athletic pursuits of her four children.

She also worked in banking and real estate and handled many jobs for various departments in the city of Snellville, Ga., where she and her husband lived for almost 50 years. Bettie was a longtime member of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church and its JOY Sunday school class, where she served many years as secretary. With the death of her husband in 2021, she moved to Covenant Woods in Columbus, where she happily shared time with many friends and its staff. She also enjoyed attending Living Grace Church, where her family worshiped in the 1960s.

Survivors include son Bill (Carla) Kirby, Columbus, daughters LuAnn (Bruce) Haddad, Salem, Ohio; Mary Katherine Kirby, Louisville, Ky.; son Eddie (Kathleen) Kirby, Lawrenceville, Ga. Grandchildren include Sara (Brian) Snyder, Andrew (Candice) Callaway, Dan (Sara Louise) Callaway, Air Force Maj. Alex (Allie) Koch, Calvin Koch, Lauren (Eric) Bowman and Charles Kirby.

Great-grandchildren include: Maddy and Milly Snyder; Oliver, Eveyln and Penelope Koch; Benny and Leon Callaway; Sylvin and Will Callaway; Elle and Ethan Bowman.

She was predeceased by her husband Charles William Kirby and her grandchildren Emily Callaway and Thomas Kirby.

Memorials may be made to Living Grace Church, Columbus, or Columbus Hospice.