Obituary of Clifford Gene Kerby

Clifford Gene Kerby July 10, 1927 - March 15, 2013 Funeral services for Clifford Gene Kerby, 85, of Lovington will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 2:00 PM at 3rd & Central Church of Christ with Dale Rhodes, Minister, officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Kerby was born on July 10, 1927 in Midland, Texas to Jesse James and Nettie Mae (Swindell) Kerby and went to be with our Lord on March 15, 2013 at his son’s home in Lovington. Clifford graduated from high school in Sundown, Texas in 1945 and attended Tarleton University in Stephenville, TX. He served his country in the US Navy and was stationed in the Philippines. He married the love of his life, Willema Fay Whalin on June 8, 1949 in Lovington and they celebrated 60 joyful years of marriage. Clifford, with his father and brothers started Fannie Lee Mitchell Trucking Co. The Kerbys’ always ran their business with the utmost integrity and one of their favorite sayings was, “Make a good hand and be a good egg.” That describes their character: honest, loyal, hard-working, dependable and generous with hearts of gold. Clifford was a brilliant craftsman and woodworker and an accomplished fabricator and metal worker who loved his work. He was determined to accomplish any task that was set before him. He was a faithful member of 3rd & Central Church of Christ and was baptized many years ago. He always had a friendly smile and a warm handshake and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; three brothers: Maurice, Leo and Bob and two sisters: Leola Farmer and Ruby Hill. He is survived by two daughters: Teresa Absher of Santa Ana, TX and Jill and husband Drew Pickens of Surprise, AZ; two sons: Cary and wife Shannon Kerby of Florence, TX and Britt and wife Cindy Kerby of Lovington, NM; seven grandchildren: Dennis, Toby, Laura, Nikki, Beth, Callie and Kate; four great-grandchildren: Caleb, Delayne, Colin and Caleigh; numerous nieces and nephews, and Lummus’ and Whalin brother and sister-in-laws. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm at the funeral home with the family in residence from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130-9411 or a charity of your choice in Clifford’s memory. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.