Lucia Belle Spicer Kirk

Lucia Belle Spicer Kirk, 83, of Bessemer City passed away peacefully the evening of Sunday, May 26, 2013 at Alexandria Place, Gastonia surrounded by the love of her family and the sounds of her favorite hymns. She was born March 24, 1930 in Danville, IL daughter of the late Charles and Beulah Martin Spicer. A celebration of life service will be held 1:00 pm Thursday at Carson Memorial Baptist Church, Kings Mountain officiated by the Pastor Chris Wilson and Elisha Calo. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 9:00 pm Wednesday and 12:00- 12:45pm Thursday at the church. Interment will be held at Westview Gardens, Bessemer City. She attended at Tennessee Temple followed by further study in New York City. It was there she met her beloved Wayne "Dear" Kirk. The couple was engaged in Paris and married in Miango, Nigeria. They served together as missionaries in the Republic of Niger for eight years where they quickly grew to a family of seven. The Kirks settled in Crowders Mountain and began their forty year ministry at Carson Memorial Baptist Church. As the pastor's wife, Lucia prepared countless meals (barbecue chicken and roast being the top requested), spent many afternoons visiting those in the community with her side- kick, Mary, and hosted a multitude of Bob Jones and Ambassador Students in her home on the weekends. Her passion was teaching children Bible verses and sharing the love of Jesus. Lucia also retired from Wix after twenty five years of service. She is survived by: her husband of fifty five years, Wayne Kirk; son, Sam Kirk and spouse Debbie; daughters, Louise Baker and spouse Jerry, Irene Calo and spouse Phil, Jackie Heintzelman and spouse Tod; nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and six siblings. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by: her mother in law, Bessie Kirk; son and daughter in law, Stephen and Allison Kirk; granddaughter, Stephanie Kirk; two sisters. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Carson Memorial Baptist Church, Building Fund, 262 Sparrow Springs Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Alexandria Place and the Gaston County Hospice for their exceptional care of our beloved wife, mother and me-maw. Arrangements are with the West Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia. A guest registry is available at greenefuneral.com