Kirk, Kimberly Jean

Kimberly Jean Kirk, 47, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 13, 2008, at Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro, N.C., after a short illness.

Kim was preceded in death by her father, Homer Jackson (Jackie) Kirk Jr.; grandparents, Inez Mae and Jake R. Wilkinson and Bertie and Homer Jackson Kirk Sr.; three aunts, Mary Jane Kirk (Gurney) Reid, Shirley Ann Kirk Simpson, and Lois Dunford Wilkinson; and uncle, Jack E. Wilkinson. She also lost her friend of 17 years, an abused puppy she named Madison (Maddy) whom she found in Gramercy Park near Madison Avenue, NYC, N.Y.

She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Joyce Wilkinson Kirk Munsey; and brother, Michael Jackson Kirk and his wife, Boni, of Narrows, Va.; brother, Robert Mark Munsey (DeAnna); and stepfather, Fred A. Munsey, (Gladys), all of Roanoke, Va.; and uncle, Buddy E. Wilkinson, of Narrows, Va. Left to celebrate her passing are her “very cool” special uncle, Mariel Lee (M.L.) Wilkinson, from whom she inherited skills in art, music, humor and being individually creative; her “very cool” special aunt, Norma Jean (Jeannie) Kirk Robertson who encouraged her to be independent and instilled into Kim a love for animals. Kim is further survived by numerous family members and friends across this planet. Three very special “men”tors in her life were Jack Jarrett, of Greensboro, N.C., Ed Sala, of New York City, N.Y., and Jeff Lowndes, of Richmond, Va.

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany on January 17, 1961, Kim was an accomplished actor and artist. She received her formative education at Narrows, Giles County, Lord Botetourt and Salem High Schools. Kim placed second in the 1978 Miss Virginia Junior Miss Pageant and excelled as an athlete by winning individual and team awards at roller skating competitions in Lincoln, Neb. Kim attended Pace University in Manhattan, N.Y., and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and literature.

She pursued her acting career in New York City, Wilmington, N.C., Richmond, Va., Middletown, Va., and the Giles Little Theatre in Narrows, Va. She appeared in the films “Iron Jawed Angels,” “The Summer of Ben Tyler” and “The Kennedy Years;” and in local commercials in the Richmond, Va., Area Television Market. Kim served in production work on the film “Cherry Falls” and was listed in the credits of the Stephen King film, “The Night Flyer” as the films’ On Set Dresser. She was quite happy to have had the opportunity to “read” a script with actor James Earl Jones.

Blessed with many talents, Kim brought joy to those she loved through her artwork. She also had the skill of making you laugh out loud! She worked with the Richmond Symphony, the Virginia Art Museum, and as the church secretary at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond.

Kim will always be remembered for her wit, intelligence, style, skills, abilities and animal rights causes. A very beautiful person, both inwardly and outwardly, Kim was unique to all who made contact and conversed with her. It was a privilege to be in her presence.

She chose to be cremated and on Thursday, October 16, 2008, her wish was fulfilled. Her remains, along with the remains of Maddy, will be taken to France by her dear friend, Jack, and there they will be released as….”dust in the wind.”

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2008, at Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead, Va., with Pastor Shahn Wilburn officiating.