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DE-LIGHTFUL HOLIDAY: Hazel and Davis Kirby and Susie will spend a quiet Christmas at home. They are enjoying elaborate outdoor holiday decorations around their house. Photo by Jean Farley

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Holiday helpers

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Christmas arrived early for Davis and Hazel Kirby. The holiday season literally lit up the life of the Bland County couple several weeks ago in the form of thousands of tiny lights, tons of red bows and an animated reindeer.
“It is beautiful,” Mrs. Kirby stated earlier this week. “We have really enjoyed all the decorations. We’ve had people tell us how pretty it all is.”
The extensive outdoor decorating is the work of the Kirbys’ daughter, Elizabeth K. Morgan, who lives in Front Royal. Also helping were family friend Maureen Saunders and David Blankenship who lives on the Kirby property.
“It took them about four days to do it all,” noted Mrs. Kirby. “They did it for us to make it a happy, pretty time.”
That is something the couple can use. Davis Kirby’s health is bad as the result of four heart attacks, a broken hip and cancer.
Mrs. Kirby chauffeurs her husband to and from doctors’ visits and hospital stays at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.
“I do all the driving,” she pointed out. “The trips to Radford are hard on both of us.”
Both the Kirbys are Bland County natives who grew up in the Ceres area. Davis Kirby lost his first wife in childbirth and has a son.
He and the former Hazel Breedlove were married April 8, 1944. Following Davis Kirby’s 14-month stint in the U.S. Navy, the couple moved to Mrs. Kirby’s home place in 1948.
“Not a lot of people live to be 63,” Mrs. Kirby remarked, “let alone be married for 63 years.”
Despite all the outside decorations, the Kirbys haven’t put up their inside Christmas tree yet. Mrs. Kirby has addressed 60-plus Christmas cards and wrapped lots of gifts.
“We have one of those fiber optic trees,” she said. “I haven’t had time to put it up but I’ll get around to it.”
While their daughter plans to be with them for Christmas, the Kirbys aren’t expecting it. They intend to spend a quiet day at home.
“Our daughter is an LPN at the hospital in Front Royal,” Mrs. Kirby pointed out. “She has the time off but her husband is not well. He recently got a kidney from his daughter but he’s in a hospital in Winchester now with double pneumonia. I don’t look for our daughter to make it home.”
The Kirbys are members of Central United Methodist Church. They attend when they are able.
“I grew up in that church,” Mrs. Davis stated.
They also enjoy playing Rook with friends. A group gets together every Wednesday evening when possible.
“Right now, we’re just enjoying life,” Mrs. Kirby said. “It was worth every minute it took my daughter and the rest to put up all the decorations.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .