Carnel Kirby, 76, of LaCrosse passed away Monday, June 9, 2014. Mr. Kirby was a lifelong resident of LaCrosse and was born to the late William “Willie” and Blanch Kirby on June 10, 1937. Mr. Kirby attended school in LaCrosse and was a member of the 1956 class at Alachua High School. Mr. Kirby served in the United States Army and worked for the Coca-Cola bottling company for 38 years before retiring. In his spare time Mr. Kirby was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and work his land. Mr. Kirby was a longtime member of Antioch Baptist Church in LaCrosse, and he was preceded in death by a beloved son-in-law Tommy Samples.
Mr. Kirby is survived by his wife of 55 years Shirley Beck Kirby, two daughters Karen Samples Dye and Susie Hummel, his grandchildren Kayden Becka Dye, Nikki Hummel, and J.W. Ripley, and his siblings Daryl Kirby, Betty Brown, and Marie Cook.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Kirby 11:30 AM Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Antioch Baptist Church in LaCrosse, FL, with Rev. Daniel Kendall and Rev. Morris Beck officiating. The family will receive friends at the church starting at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 3612 NW 177th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609 or Friends of Children (Fla. Baptist Children’s Home) PO Box 358502, Gainesville, FL 32635-8502. Arrangements are under the direction of Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N Main St, High Springs, FL (386)454-2444.
