Each week on page 2 of the Enquirer, the names of those who have passed away are included, along with information about their lives and families. This week, one of our own is listed among those names.
Sherman Kirby died last week after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He leaves behind a large, loving family that stood by his side and joined in the fight to the end.
After retiring from BellSouth, Sherman worked part-time with the Enquirer in the circulation department, helping customers with subscriptions and handling the money that comes in weekly from the newspaper racks. His wife, Ann, has worked for the Enquirer for more than 35 years.
They are both beloved by those of us at the Enquirer. And, if the turnout at Saturday and Sunday’s services are indications, they are beloved by many others as well.
The overflow crowd at the funeral home had many Sherman stories to tell. There were stories of his generosity and benevolence. Other stories centered on his work in the community, including time as a youth sports coach and active member of the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association.
We at the Enquirer had some stories to tell, too. One story was about an elderly lady that called to complain she wasn’t receiving her newspaper in a timely fashion. She lived in the county and we had tried to work through our sources to speed up the process. Nothing seemed to work. Sherman got a call from the lady and decided to take matters into his own hands. Instead of waiting on the post office, Sherman just delivered her paper himself. As was his fashion, he did so without making a big deal about things. It was the right thing to do so he did it.
That’s the way he lived his life and that’s what all those who knew him appreciated. You knew if you asked Sherman a question you would get an honest answer, in a low, gravelly voice that sounded like a combination of Bear Bryant and John Wayne. If he said he was going to do something, it got done.
There’s a phrase I’ve heard often since Sherman’s passing: “They just don’t make people like Sherman anymore.”
And they don’t. But for those of us who were lucky enough to know him, we know what a unique opportunity it was and we’re each the better for it.