Sara Kirby

Obituary of Sara Kirby Sara E. Kirby, 86, of Leesburg, FL went home to be with the Lord on December 12, 2013 in Inverness, FL under the special care of Hospice of Inverness and the staff of Avante of Inverness. Sara E. Kirby was born on October 28, 1927 in St. Petersburg, FL to Henry Allen and Eva Marie (Blakeley) Taylor. She graduated from St. Peterburg High School in 1945. Mrs. Sara Elizabeth (Taylor) married Paul Wesley Kirby on October 1, 1950 in St. Petersburg, FL and moved to Leesburg that same year. She and her husband attended Grace Bible Baptist Church until his death in 1978, after that she became a long term member of the First Baptist Church of Lady Lake. Mrs. Sara E. Kirby opened the Cactus Grill in 1963 (fondly known as Kirby's Restaurant) across from Leesburg High School until when it closed in 1976. For many years she fed hamburgers, french fries and sodas to the hungry teenagers of Leesburg, as well as serving breakfast and lunch to the businessmen and local women of Leesburg with a smile, a cup of coffee and a helping hand to anyone who needed one. She ran her restaurant with her husband Paul who operated his business, Kirby's Barber Shop behind Cactus Grill cutting generations of hair for young boys and men of Leesburg. After the restaurant and barber shop closed she worked several jobs always loving to be out and about around people sharing her smile, giving spirit and warm compassion for others and retired from Walmart as a pharmacy associate. She enjoyed bowling, was a member of T.O.P.S. (weight management) club for many years achieving top honors. She loved people, always willing to listen, giving herself to others to help out in any way she could and shared her smile and laughter with friends and strangers alike. She is survived by her loving son, Bruce M. (Debbie) Kirby of Fruitland Park; 5 grandchildren, Brandy (Chris) Byerley of Fruitland Park; Wesley O. (Jussica) Kirby of Ocala, FL; Curtis Gaff of Leesburg; Sara Jennings of Leesburg; and Jennifer D. (Jeff) Lamons of Lady Lake; 12 great grandchildren; Mileena, Skyler, Ian, Madison, Kaitlynn, Eden, Evin, Brianna, Makenzie, Shelby, Emily and Benjamin; 1 great great grandson, Carson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 28 years, Paul Kirby, and infant son Johnathan Brian, her daughter Dora Kirby, as sister Evelyn Reedy and 3 brothers, Lance, Harmon and Donald. The family welcomes visitation at Beyers Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 11:00 am at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel, Leesburg, with Pastor Paul Harsh officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Leesburg. In support, heartfelt gratitude and the believe in the foundation of their overwhelming care, donations may be made to the Hospice of your choice.

Sara Kirby

October 28, 1927 - December 12, 2013