Eva Mae (Adkisson) Kirby was born in Yukon, OK on March 17, 1921. At the early age of three she and her parents moved to Southern California. In the next years Eva was blessed with a sister Lila and a brother David. Eva committed her life to Jesus Christ at the age of eighteen.
Eva was always grateful for a happy childhood, a wonderful family, and the encouragement and educational opportunities she received. She enjoyed school starting in Kindergarten. In high school she dreamed of being an actress and for a time was a “stand-in” for Hollywood actress Ann Sothern.
After high school she attended UCLA majoring in Botany and Zoology. She graduated magna cum laude in 1943, and completed a secondary teacher’s credential. Later, she attended U.S.C. and completed a Master’s Degree with a credential in Counseling and School Administration.
While attending UCLA in 1943, she met and married William Kirby.
In her thirty-two years with the Los Angeles School District she served as a Science teacher, an Assistant Principal, and a Principal. She had the distinct honor of being one of the first woman Principals in the L.A. Co. School District.
After retiring from the L.A. District in 1979, she and William moved to Olympia, Washington. William passed away in 1988.
In Olympia she was Chairman of Thurston County National Day of Prayer, taught Bible Study for legislators on the Capitol Campus, had a daily radio program leading the County in prayer for our nation, leader of Bible Study Fellowship, and coordinated all women’s Bible Studies at Wedgwood Baptist Church. Eva worked in the jail ministry and served as coordinator of Adult Seminars for the North West Christian Educational Conference.
Eva and William were world travelers and their home reflected memories of the countries they visited. Eva could recall where, when and the story behind each memento.
In October 2002, Eva moved to Covenant Living of Turlock where her brother Dr. David Adkisson and his wife Beverly resided. Her ministry continued by teaching Sunday School classes, and Women’s Bible Studies on a weekly basis, which included women from many churches. For several years she taught a weekly class at Covenant Living on Israel. She spent many hours mentoring young ladies on a one-to-one basis. Her last group endeavor was teaching a select group of ladies how to teach the Word of God.
After 75 years of teaching the Bible she still witnessed and counseled those who visited her room in the Care Center. Her life’s verse was: II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
Eva was welcomed into God’s presence on March 19, 2021, being 100 years old.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Kirby, parents Forrest and Lima Adkisson, sister Lila Bridgers, brother Dr. David Adkission and wife Beverly and nephew Chris Bridgers. Eva is survived by a niece Lori Alexander of Bellevue, WA, and two nephews Paul Bridgers of Los Cruces, New Mexico, and Steven Bridgers of Costa Mesa, CA.
Remembrances in her name can be sent to: Calvary Chapel of Turlock, 147 S. Broadway, Turlock, CA 95380 or Bridges for Peace, P.O. Box 410037, Melbourne, FL 32941.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 1pm at Allen Mortuary.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.AllenMortuary.com
