Obituary for Debbie
Debra Jean Kirby affectionately known as “Debbie” to
her mom was born November 8, 1969 in Chicago,
Illinois to Preston and Earnestine Kirby. She was
the third of four siblings.
Debra confessed Christ at an early age and
was baptized at Jordan Temple under the lead-
ership of the late Reverend Willie F. Jordan Sr.
Many years later, she became a member of the
El Shaddai family under the leadership of the late
Bishop D.A. DuBois. Pastor Daisy Williams assumed
leadership and touched Debra’s heart making a lasting im-
pression as she was quite fond of her. Debra actively participated in service enthusiasti-
cally; she loved the Lord and praised Him with an abundance of heartfelt joy as she truly
knew the Lord for herself.
Debra loved her family and enjoyed time spent at family gatherings where she would of-
ten times begin to pray calling out names of family members while praying over them - it
was as if the heavens opened when Debra called out your name as you knew God heard
her sincere prayer.
Debra attended Bobby E. Wright School where she participated in many activities and es-
pecially enjoyed her appearances in the school’s fashion shows. She also loved music and
dancing (and boy could she dance – she had moves).
Debra made her transition to be with the Lord on Friday, April 3, 2020.
She leaves to cherish her memories: Her father, Preston Kirby; mother, Earnestine Kirby;
three brothers, Vincent Mayes (Latrisha), Bryant Paige (Tameka) and Luther Kirby (Ebony)
of Davenport, Iowa; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Debra
You are saved resting in his arms.
You are a daughter,
we will miss all your charms.
You are a sister - your smile
we won’t forget.
You are an Aunt, your lap I use to sit.
You are a niece,
that brought joy and laughter.
You are a cousin,
we will miss you today and days after.
We will remember, though sad we are.
You are saved and in His arms.
~By Niece, Amani
Time cannot steal the treasures we carry in our hearts.
Nor can it dim the shinning thoughts our cherished past imparts.
For the memories of Deb still cast a gentle glow,
to grace our days and light our paths wherever we may go.
~By Niece, Amaria
Deb I miss you.
My mind knows that you are in a better place.
Where there is no pain, you are at peace.
I understand that I just wish
I could explain that to my heart.
There is a empty space in it
that nothing will ever fill.
We will be together again until then
my love will always be with you.
~Love Kiana
To My Dear Aunt Debra,
A beautiful being has been called home. This does not mean to dwell in sor-
row, but to praise in her essence and spirit. To remember the joy she has
bring to our hearts, to cherish her love until the end of time.
To know that her kindness will forever live on giving us hope to stay strong.
Thankful that the divine universe has blessed this family with one of his most
precious angels to watch over us from the heavens above.
“We give back, to you, O God, those whom you gave to us; you did not
lose them when you gave to us, and we did not lose them by
their return home to you”
~From Your Niece, Keke
Musical Prelude .....................................................................................................
Processional ................................................................................................. Family
Scripture .................................................................................... Rev. Rodney Jordan
Prayer ....................................................................................... Rev. Rodney Jordan
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................................
Acknowledgements and Resolutions ..........................................................................
Remarks ...................................................................................................... Family
Obituary ............................................................................................ Read Silently
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................................
Words of Encouragement ............................................................. Rev. Rodney Jordan
Reviewal ...............................................................................................................
Benediction ................................................................................ Rev. Rodney Jordan
Recessional .................................................................................................. Family
Friday, April 10, 2020
Wake: 11:00 a.m. Funeral: 1:00 p.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644
Rev. Rodney Jordan, Officiating
her mom was born November 8, 1969 in Chicago,
Illinois to Preston and Earnestine Kirby. She was
the third of four siblings.
Debra confessed Christ at an early age and
was baptized at Jordan Temple under the lead-
ership of the late Reverend Willie F. Jordan Sr.
Many years later, she became a member of the
El Shaddai family under the leadership of the late
Bishop D.A. DuBois. Pastor Daisy Williams assumed
leadership and touched Debra’s heart making a lasting im-
pression as she was quite fond of her. Debra actively participated in service enthusiasti-
cally; she loved the Lord and praised Him with an abundance of heartfelt joy as she truly
knew the Lord for herself.
Debra loved her family and enjoyed time spent at family gatherings where she would of-
ten times begin to pray calling out names of family members while praying over them - it
was as if the heavens opened when Debra called out your name as you knew God heard
her sincere prayer.
Debra attended Bobby E. Wright School where she participated in many activities and es-
pecially enjoyed her appearances in the school’s fashion shows. She also loved music and
dancing (and boy could she dance – she had moves).
Debra made her transition to be with the Lord on Friday, April 3, 2020.
She leaves to cherish her memories: Her father, Preston Kirby; mother, Earnestine Kirby;
three brothers, Vincent Mayes (Latrisha), Bryant Paige (Tameka) and Luther Kirby (Ebony)
of Davenport, Iowa; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Debra
You are saved resting in his arms.
You are a daughter,
we will miss all your charms.
You are a sister - your smile
we won’t forget.
You are an Aunt, your lap I use to sit.
You are a niece,
that brought joy and laughter.
You are a cousin,
we will miss you today and days after.
We will remember, though sad we are.
You are saved and in His arms.
~By Niece, Amani
Time cannot steal the treasures we carry in our hearts.
Nor can it dim the shinning thoughts our cherished past imparts.
For the memories of Deb still cast a gentle glow,
to grace our days and light our paths wherever we may go.
~By Niece, Amaria
Deb I miss you.
My mind knows that you are in a better place.
Where there is no pain, you are at peace.
I understand that I just wish
I could explain that to my heart.
There is a empty space in it
that nothing will ever fill.
We will be together again until then
my love will always be with you.
~Love Kiana
To My Dear Aunt Debra,
A beautiful being has been called home. This does not mean to dwell in sor-
row, but to praise in her essence and spirit. To remember the joy she has
bring to our hearts, to cherish her love until the end of time.
To know that her kindness will forever live on giving us hope to stay strong.
Thankful that the divine universe has blessed this family with one of his most
precious angels to watch over us from the heavens above.
“We give back, to you, O God, those whom you gave to us; you did not
lose them when you gave to us, and we did not lose them by
their return home to you”
~From Your Niece, Keke
Musical Prelude .....................................................................................................
Processional ................................................................................................. Family
Scripture .................................................................................... Rev. Rodney Jordan
Prayer ....................................................................................... Rev. Rodney Jordan
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................................
Acknowledgements and Resolutions ..........................................................................
Remarks ...................................................................................................... Family
Obituary ............................................................................................ Read Silently
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................................
Words of Encouragement ............................................................. Rev. Rodney Jordan
Reviewal ...............................................................................................................
Benediction ................................................................................ Rev. Rodney Jordan
Recessional .................................................................................................. Family
Friday, April 10, 2020
Wake: 11:00 a.m. Funeral: 1:00 p.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644
Rev. Rodney Jordan, Officiating