Ethel Margaret Kirby, 84, Archie, Missouri, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at her home. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2014 at the New Home Cemetery in Warsaw, Missouri. Visitation will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Archie, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice of Butler, 612 West Fort Scott Street, Butler, MO 64730

Ethel was born April 24, 1930 in Wisdom, Benton County, Missouri, the daughter of Johnnie and Susie (Barr) Smallwood. She was a 1949 graduate of Warsaw High School and received her teaching certificate from Warrensburg Teachers College. She taught at rural Benton County Schools for three years, including Poplar School. She married her best friend, Ronald M. Kirby on October 12, 1950 in Sedalia, Missouri.

Ethel worked for the United States Department of Energy as an Administrative Assistant in Kansas City, Missouri for 30 years before retiring. She lived in Peculiar, Missouri from 1970 until 1988 when she moved to Archie. Ethel was a very devout Christian. She was a member of Memorial Christian Church in Kansas City, Missouri but attended Archie Methodist Church.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her beloved husband, Ronald, of the home; one sister, Mildred Bell, Sedalia, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.