Mabel S. Kirby

Mabel S. Kirby, 86, of Falls St., Morganton, NC died Friday, January 5, 2006 following a period of declining health. She was born In Dante, VA on August 3, 1920 and was a daughter of the late Benjamin Harrison Salyer and Garma Dingus Salyer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Alton Kirby, and by sisters, Vivian Bouchard and Marianna Davis. Mrs. Kirby graduated from Dante Central High School and from Grace Hospital School of Nursing with honors and a scholarship to Baylor University Hospital School of Nursing in Dallas, TX. Upon completing her education Mabel began her nursing career at Grace Hospital. During the polio epidemic in the early 1940’s, she was one of the first registered nurses to volunteer at the hastily erected hospital on Lake Hickory known as the "Miracle of Hickory". Following her retirement from Broughton Hospital, Mabel volunteered at Burke United Christian’s Ministries food pantry for 15 years. She was an active member of the Grace Hospital Nurses Alumnae Asso. and the Broughton Hospital Retirees Asso.

Surviving are her son, Ben A. Kirby, of Morganton; her daughter, Jacqueline" Mimi" Powell and her husband, John, of Cherryville, NC; brothers, Harry Salyer of Castlewood, VA and Ray Salyer, of Newport News, VA; sisters, Virginia Steffey of Castlewood, VA, Lois Meade of St. Paul, VA, and Mildred Harris, of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Nikki Powell and her fiancée, Chris Henry, of Charlotte and Leslie Powell Schilling and her husband, Dr. Brian Schilling of Memphis, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Bill Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour before the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospital Alumnae Nursing Scholarship Fund, C/O Jackie Pruett, 136 VFW Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke United Christian Ministries, 305 W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655.