RESOLUTION NO. __________, SERIES 2015
title
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF REVEREND CHARLES EDWARD KIRBY. (As Amended.)
body
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILWOMAN MARY WOOLRIDGE
WHEREAS, Reverend Charles Edward Kirby was born on August 5, 1928 in Cadiz, Kentucky to the late Reverend Olia and Mary Kirby; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby is married to Bettye Merriweather Kirby and he has 3 7 children: Linda Kirby, Reverend Stephan Kirby, Darrius Kirby, Andrae Kirby, Charlene Smith, Wyndy Lottering, and Jamie Kirby; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby studied at Simmons College and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby's vision of what God wanted him to do was clear;
WHEREAS, with the support of three of God's men, Reverend Charles Edward Kirby founded the Southern Star Baptist Church in 1956 where he served as the pastor until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Southern Star Missionary Baptist Church was recognized as a "Trailblazer" within the community and in 1956 became the first church to broadcast live on WLOU Radio Station; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby was a nationally known singer and he recorded He Cares for You, God Specializes, The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow, If I Don't Wake Up in the Morning, You Brought Me From a Mighty Long Way, Through The Years, God is Real, Precious Lord, I Surrender, just to name a few; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Reverend Kirby, Southern Star became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, opening the doors for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marches that occurred in Louisville; and
WHEREAS, as President of the Kentucky Southern Christian Leadership, Reverend Kirby founded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Food Store and demonstrated with 10,000 citizens across Kentucky at the State Capital for a statewide Public Accommodation legislation; and
WHEREAS, in 1967 Reverend Kirby marched with ...
Click here for full text