Kirby Knapp Bryant III was born with a heart bigger than most on December 3, 1961 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He moved with his family to Anniston in 1970, where he graduated from Anniston High School, and later attended Ayers Trade School. He graduated with a diploma in Tool and Dye.
Kirby K. loved working with his hands and built cabinets for over 20 years. He enjoyed many other forms of wood working and whittling, making his sister Kathy a place to store her beloved photo albums, creating a built in bookcase and entertainment system for his mother Shirley, and father Kirby, often whittling little figurines to give out as gifts to his family. Kirby K. was an avid fisherman often accompanied by his trusty sidekick and furry companion, Ham Bone.
Kirby had a loving and devoted relationship with his family. Though he didn’t have money for store bought flowers, he would pick a handful of wildflowers for each Mother’s Day. He is survived by his mother Shirley Bryant, brother Philip Bryant, and sisters, Kathy Hudspeth (JB) and Leah Waller, his nieces Leah Hudspeth and Anna Katherine Waller, his nephews, James Waller (Morgan), Adam Waller, and Andrew Waller.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Kirby K Bryant Jr., his sister in law Camila Bryant. His niece Devin Bryant and his nephew Branon Hudspeth.
Kirby K was the type of human to give someone in need the shirt off his back, or the extra plates he always packed up after Thanksgiving (they were never for himself). Many people have stories to tell of needing a place to stay and never having to question whether Kirby would let them in. He always kept the light on, figuratively speaking, though there were many times the power was turned off. In a time of bigotry and hatred of the “other” He was a man who understood that everyone deserves the generosity and love taught through Jesus by God. He had a heart bigger than most.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday October 13 at 1:00pm at the Temple Praise Ministry. Family greeting at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, Kirby wanted donations to be made to the Center of Hope. Kirby Bryant will be remembered for the love he extended to those in need.
Kirby Bryant’s soul rest in peace and may his memory be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew him.
