HAMLET — Herbert Louis Kirkley, of Hamlet, passed away Monday, May 24, 2021 at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Kirkley was born Dec. 18, 1932, son of Herbert Lee Kirkley, Sr. and Jewell Lyde Kirkley. He was a veteran of the United States Army, graduated from Western Carolina University and taught school for many years in Richmond County, Robeson County and at Samarkand Manor. After retirement, he was in the jewelry business, Kirkley Jewelers, with his son, Tim Kirkley.
He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed spending time on Friday nights at the Richmond Raider football games. He was a loving, kind man to everyone and took pride in his family.
Mr. Kirkley was predeceased by his parents; wife, Della Kirkley; son, Tim Kirkley; grandchildren, Michael Kirkley and Nicky Smith; brothers, Harrison Kirkley and Lum Kirkley; sisters, Vivian Lynch and Gertrude Hicks.
He is survived by his children, Terri and Dawson Phifer, Mike and Rebecca Kirkley, Erica and Jimmy Cain, Christy and Darin Dixon, all of Hamlet, and Scottie and Kellie Kirkley of Laurinburg; brothers, Clyde Kirkley, T.V. Kirkley, and James Kirkley, all of Hamlet; sister, Jewell Cooper of Charlotte; grandchildren, Chris Hodges, Jeffrey Hodges, Jill Kirkley Connor, Brent Kirkley, Zacharii Currie, Matthew Currie, Ethan Kirkley, Trevor Kirkley, Seth Dixon, Bryce Dixon, Braxton Dixon, Carson Dixon, and Paxton Kirkley; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the Hamlet Church of God of Prophecy, 615 Cheraw Road, Hamlet, on Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Bishop Steve Crews will officiate. Entombment will follow at Richmond Memorial Park Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Fairview Heights Elementary School Book Fund, 104 Hamilton St., Hamlet, NC 28345.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Kirkley family.
