Robert "Bobby" Kirksey

Robert “Bobby” Kirksey, 81, of Morganton, NC died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 3, 2015. He was born in Burke County on March 30, 1934 to the late Lonnie Herman Kirksey and Margaret Bristol Kirksey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Betsey Giles Kirksey; a brother, Herman Kirksey and wife, Mary; a stepmother, Winn Bowers Kirksey; and his mother and father-in-law, Corinne and Buddy Giles.

He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was very proud to be a TARHEEL. A local businessman, Bobby began his career at Kirksey Funeral Home and Kirksey Hardware. After his marriage to Betsey, he managed Giles Motors. After closing Giles Motors, he began at Kirksey Funeral Home full time by managing the Marion and Old Fort locations.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Morganton where he served on various committees. He was a devout Christian and read his Bible and the Upper Room every night. Bobby also served on the Burke County Board of Education and was influential in the construction of Freedom and East Burke High Schools. He and his wife, Betsey, loved to travel.  He was proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Bobby is survived by his children; Jimmy Kirksey and wife, Dotty, and their children, Lyndsey and Hannah, Margaret Caldwell and husband, Dan, and their children, Elizabeth and Wilson, Giles Kirksey and wife, Christy, and their children, Chris, James and Isabella, Corinne Alavi, and her husband, Jamal, and their children, Robert, Susan and Caroline; a brother, Jack Kirksey and wife, Lena; nephews, L.H., Carl, Lee, Charles, and Ed Kirksey; and a special friend, Mary Oxford.

A Celebration of Bobby’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, June 7, 2015 at First United Methodist Church of Morganton with the Rev. Dr. John Fowler officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. There will be a private family burial at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 North King Street, Morganton, NC 28655 or to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill General Alumni Association, P.O. Box 660, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0660.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.