Allie Ruth Kirby Kuykendall

December 5, 1931 - December 15, 2017

Allie Ruth Kirby Kuykendall age 86 of Fort Payne died December 15, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 53 years, James Ray Kuykendall, her father William Garfield Kirby and mother Allie Spears Kirby, her brother William Calvin Kirby and nephew William Richard Kirby of Roanoke, Alabama. She is survived by a son Leonard Kirby Kuykendall (Tina), of Prattville, Alabama; daughter Lucia Ruth Kuykendall, Richmond, Virginia; grandchildren, James William Colin Biddle (Janet), Arthur Joseph Graeme Biddle, and Sarah Kuykendall Spradlin (Cory); sister-in-law Frances Benefield Kirby; niece Stacy Kirby Daniel (James); three great nephews, three great nieces, and three great- great nephews. Born in Randolph County near Roanoke, she graduated from Handley High School before earning her R.N. from Anniston Memorial Hospital’s nursing program. She later earned her B.S. degree from the University of Alabama’s Capstone School of Nursing. She worked in the nursing field for 49 years, serving for a time as director of nursing. A faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, she was a member of the Deborah Sunday School Class, and attended the Golden Circle activities. She had long been an active member of the Phillip Hamman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which she served as treasurer for several years. She was a former member of the Alabama Nursing Association. She traveled to every county in Alabama helping her husband collect material for a history of Alabama pharmacy. She also helped him with many Landmarks projects and supported him in his very active role in the Alabama Historical Association. She was a charter member of the Fort Payne Culture Club, was active in the Fort Payne Jayceettes at one time, and helped for many years with the “Reminiscing” column in a local newspaper and was a member of Landmarks of Dekalb Co. In 2008 she was recognized for her community service by the Fort Payne Rotary Club as a Rotary Rose recipient. Her other interests included travel, genealogy, theatre, history, and reading. She cherished time spent with her family. She never met a stranger with whom she couldn’t easily communicate. She leaves many devoted personal friends. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:-00-8:00 at Wilson’s Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday morning at 11:00 at First Baptist Church. Her body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Colin Biddle, Graeme Biddle, Chris Kuykendall, Cory Spradlin, Gary Berry, and Johnny Bates. Honorary pallbearer will be Ann Berry, Sandra Sutton, Toie Miller, Julie Gregory, Peggy Veal, Glenda Berry and Juanita McGuire.