Mary Frances Kirk

Mary Frances Kirk, 90, fell asleep in death on Saturday Jan. 30, 2016 in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Raul Martinez in Junction. She was surrounded by her loving family. Mary Frances Hensley was born on July 8, 1925 in Harlingen to Sewell and Mary (Cochrum) Hensley and was the fourth out of nine children. After graduating from Stuart Place School in 1939, she attended Brownsville Junior College. She graduated from Mary Hardin Baylor, majoring in Art. She was the first woman in her family to receive a college education. Her family settled in the Rio Grande Valley during the land rush, where her father owned and operated Adam’s Garden Cannery, which had a positive impact on the community. She worked at Hygeia Dairy and the Hidalgo County Bank. She was a hard working career woman who loved her family. She will be remembered by her loving and positive attitude, her witty sense of humor, and her generosity toward others. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Woodrow “Woody” Brown; her first born child, Sewell Hewitt Bailey; parents, Sewell and Mary; brothers, Wilford, Herman, Lawrence, and Don; and her granddaughter, Cheryl. She is survived by her children, Donna, Sue (Raul), Jerry of La Grange (Cathy), and Tom (Dee); step-daughter, April (Mark); nine grandchildren; many great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; her brothers, Robert “Bobby” (Lauren) and James “Jimmy” (Shirley); sisters Janelle (Barney) and Pinkie; half-sisters Ana (Alejo), Rosemary (Tom), Connie (Richard); half-brother Larry; friend and bible teacher Barbara; friend Oly; and her beloved dog Patches. She will be laid to rest next to the love of her life, Woody, at a graveside service, which will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at Ebony Grove Cemetery in Mercedes. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 3, 2016 at Kimble Funeral Home, 1010 College St., in Junction. Mary’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude toward Kimble County Hospital; MKM Home Healthcare; Gentiva Hospice; Kimble Funeral Home; and the local Junction congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses who became her spiritual family. The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kimblefuneralhometx.com. Kimble Funeral Home in Junction was in charge of arrangements.