Obituary of Brenda Womble Kirby

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Brenda Womble Kirby passed away peacefully at age 79 at UNC Hospice Home in Pittsboro, NC with family present.

Brenda was born on March 9,1945, in Chapel Hill, NC to Roland and Mildred (Dollar) Womble. Growing up on the Womble Farm she spent her days doing many chores on the farm and graduated from Chapel Hill High School. She then attended Croft Business College attaining her Executive Secretarial Degree and went on to  work at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, the UNC Air Force ROTC, then the dean's office at the UNC School of Medicine. From there she made the move to the Chancellor's Office as Assistant to the Chancellor, Secretary of the University, and the assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees. It was openly acknowledged that she ran the University and was an indispensable part of the South Building and the University as a whole. She retired in 2012 after 32 years in the Chancellor's Office having worked with 6 chancellors, 25 chairs of the Board of Trustees, and 32 student body presidents. Her dedication, intelligence, good judgement, and personaility earned her numerous awards, most notably the C.Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award, a General Alumni Association Distinguished Service Medal, and membership in the Order of the Golden Fleece, the University's oldest and highest honorary society. Upon retiring in 2012 the Chancellor's Award committee created the Brenda W. Kirby Award in her honor which is awarded to one UNC student every year. Following retirement she volunteered her time as a patient representative/liason at the UNC cancer Hospital helping cancer patients and their families.

While running the university she still managed to raise 2 knuckle-headed sons, Shannon and Derek, who tried her patience occasionally but mostly gave her years of joy, laughter, and kept her young.

In 1993, Brenda married Dr. William (Bill) Smith of the UNC Mathematics Department, and became a stepmom to his children Deanna, David, and Lara. She and Bill embarked on a wonderful, laughter-filled, 31-year adventure they called marriage and enjoyed every moment of life together.

Brenda was active in her church,Orange Chapel UMC in the White Cross community of Chapel Hill, and enjoyed gardening,yoga, following her beloved Tarheels,keeping all of the community birds well-fed (as well as any passing varmint that passed by her doorstep), her family, her friends, country music, weepy and inspirational movies, various books, and traveling with her husband and best friend Bill. They both laughed, loved and enjoyed life with one another as well as with the many friends they met along the way.

Brenda was strong in her faith, her church community, and her love of the Lord. She was known for her down-to-earth personaility, sense of humor, inquisitive and endearing spirit, and independence. She lived life to the fullest and felt that strangers were only friends that she had yet to meet. She was an extraordinanry mother, wife, daughter, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother,colleague, and friend to all who knew her.

Brenda was preceded in death by her father Roland Womble and Mother Mildred Womble, brothers Numa Womble and Essell Womble, brother-in-law Richard (Dick) Stevens, and nephew Scotty Merritt.

She is survived by her husband William (Bill) Smith: son Shannon Kirby (and wife Lene), son Derek Kirby (and wife TJ), son David Smith (and wife Karen); daughters Deanna Marx and Lara Whiteside (and husband Stanley); sister Irene Stevens: great-aunt Jean Wright (and husband Glenn); sisters-in-law Madeline Womble and Martha Ann Womble; grandchildren Chase Carnahan,Jordan Miller, Michael Wilson,Mason Kirby, Jayden Smith, Emily Reburn (and husband Tyler), Tate Whiteside (and wife Greta); great-grandchildren Conner and Eve Reburn; and many other family and close friends that were equally important to her but too numerous to mention by name.

Brenda's wishes were to be cremated and her ashes scattered by her family. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 20, at Orange Chapel UMC at 11:00 am. Any donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to the UNC Cancer Center.