Ernest Kirby Obituary

Ernest Tubb Kirby, 77, of Nowata, OK went to his heavenly home on March 2, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 9, 1948 in Melbourne, AR to Joe Kirby Sr. and Nina (Rush) Kirby.Ernie moved with his family to Nowata as a child. There he met the love of his life, Wanda Ruth Belden. They were married on November 4, 1968 and had 5 daughters. He went to work at Fred's Fine Foods, Landers Grocery, and Turner Brothers as a meat cutter, retiring from Turner Brothers in 2002. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, cooking, and playing Pitch. He was well known in town for his remarkable vegetable gardens. He was a jokester and always had the room laughing with his quiet but ornery sense of humor. Most of all, he loved his family, his girls, and his grandkids from whom he was lovingly referred to as "Pa".Ernie is survived by his wife, Wanda, daughters Cindy Moss, Kris Frauenberger and husband Michael, Wanda Jackson and husband Christopher, bonus daughter Tonya Pinkston and husband Kevin, and son-in-law Joe Hindman Jr., all of Nowata, sisters Mary Kirby and Treva Belden of Nowata, brother Grady Kirby and wife Cindy of Claremore, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Nina and Joe Kirby Sr., brother Joe Kirby Jr., sisters Sina Pine and Henrietta Kirby, daughters Tami Hindman and Lori Theys, and grandson Daniel Frye.Services will be on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Reset Church with Pastor Matt Rowell officiating with graveside services following.

Online condolences can be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com or the Benjamin Funeral Home Facebook page. Arrangements are under the direction of the Benjamin Funeral Service, 114 W. Cherokee Ave., Nowata.