Ruth Wingo Kirk

Ruth Wingo Kirk, 91, daughter of the late John and Maggie Wingo and wife of the late James Hugh Kirk of Seneca, SC, passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at Lila Doyle Nursing Home. A native of Spartanburg, SC, Mrs. Kirk settled in Miami, FL where she served as the secretary to the president and CEO of Burdines Department Stores for over 30 years and was named GCS Secretary of the Year in 1961. She was also awarded Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 2002 by the Oconee Volunteer and Information Services. She was a devout member of the First United Methodist Church of Miami, and sang faithfully in the choir. After retiring, Mrs. Kirk and her husband moved to their Port Santorini home in Seneca and became active members of Saint Mark United Methodist Church. An avid walker and lover of gospel music and the outdoors, Mrs. Kirk thoroughly enjoyed visits from her family, friends, and neighbors – all of whom loved her dearly. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and also loved to travel. One of her favorite trips was to the Holy Land in the 1970s. Mrs. Kirk is survived by a son, James A. Kirk and his wife, Patricia of Heath, TX; grandson, Col James A. Kirk, Jr., USAF, and his wife, Brenda of O’Fallon, IL; granddaughter, Deborah J. Livingston of Rockwall, TX; five great-grandchildren: Kimberly E. Kirk of Savannah, GA; Jonathan G. Kirk of San Marcos, TX; Timothy Kirk Livingston of Rockwall, TX; James Daniel Kirk of O’Fallon, IL; and Kathleen Marie Livingston of Rockwall, TX; two nieces, Peggy Dickens and her husband CMDR David Dickens (USN-Ret) of Virginia Beach, VA; Pamela Desanti and her husband Joseph of Hollywood, FL; and one nephew, Paul R. Wingo, Jr. of Columbia, SC. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Kirk was predeceased by her brother, Paul R. Wingo. Special thanks to Mrs. Kirk’s devoted friends, George and Mary Dunagan, and the wonderful staff at Lila Doyle, for their loving friendship, care and devotion to Ruth. The Receiving of Friends will be held Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 1:00 PM at St. Mark United Methodist Church followed by Funeral Services at 2:00 PM. Interment will be held following the service at Oconee Memorial Park in Seneca. Memorials may be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678 or Oconee Hospice of the Foothills, ATTN: Foundation Office, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672.

Ruth Wingo Kirk

April 2, 1921 - June 20, 2012