FRANKLIN KIRK
Franklin Kirk, b ca 1865 in South Carolina, d 1932 in Falls County, Texas
and buried in Shady Grove Cemetery - came to Texas after the Civil War with his
uncle, William Kirk. On June 8, 1904 in Falls County, Frank was married to Mary
Lowe (called "Mamie"), b February 15, 1889, d May 14, 1973 in Marlin and buried
in the Kirk Family Cemetery - a daughter of Isaac Lowe (called "Ike"), b
February 13, 1866 in Falls County, Texas, d July 23, 1969 and buried in Shady
Grove Cemetery - and his wife, Mariah (Jefferson) Lowe a daughter of John
Jefferson. Isaac was a son of Peter Lowe, b 1825 Maryland and his wife, Eliza, b
1835 Alabama.
Among the children of Peter and Eliza Lowe were five children -
all born in Texas: Benjamin Lowe, b ca 1849; Lee Lowe, b ca 1852, d March 21,
1915; Albert Lowe, b ca 1859; Addison Lowe, b ca 1863; and Isaac Lowe, b 1866.
Frank Kirk was a farmer, and was one of the earliest of the black
families in Falls County to own his own farm. After his death, Mamie continued
to farm, having ten strong, young sons. Frank and Mamie had fifteen children -
order of their births is unknown:
Wesley Kirk (deceased); Sullivan Kirk (deceased), who married in Falls
County on November 27, 1926 to Mary Lee Barnes; Lee Kirk; Sampson Kirk; Frank
Kirk, Jr.; Reverend Onnie Isaac Kirk; Elijah Kirk (called "Bo"), who married in
Falls County on October 6, 1928 to Willie Perry; Charles Henry Kirk (deceased);
William Kirk; Rachel (Kirk) White; Frankie Mae Kirk who married R. B. Smith;
Amelia (Kirk) White; Bernice Kirk; and Mozella Kirk who married Henry Debose of
Kosse, Texas.
Frank and Mamie were members and supporters of the Antioch Baptist Church
at Stranger; and Mamie donated land and a church building for the establishment
of Greater Antioch Baptist Church near her home, before her death. Their
daughter, Bernice Kirk, established a Kirk Family Cemetery, in which Mamie was
buried. Bernice continues to reside in the family home, between Marlin and
Stranger, and only a short distance from the family cemetery and the new church.
Bernice hosts a family reunion every Labor Day. She had eight children:
Claniel Kirk, b May 20, 1943 - married Reverend Will Ray Thomas. They
have four children, and reside in Dallas, Texas.
Ernest T. Kirk, b April 14, 1952 - graduated from Howard Payne University
in Brownwood, Texas, and played professional football, after starring on his
university football team. He presently works at the State School in Brownwood,
and is a minister. Ernest married Idella Houston, and they have two children.
Benell Kirk - a twin, b April 2, 1953 - married Joan Diles - a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Diles, of Highbank. Ben became a Falls County Deputy
Sheriff in 1973, and resides in Marlin. Joan also works in Marlin. They have two
daughters: Yolanda Kirk, and Tiffany Kirk.
Lenell Kirk - a twin, b April 2, 1953 - married Walter Lloyd, and they
have Tonicia Lloyd.
Wanda June Kirk, b August 18, 1956, d November 19, 1972.
Beatrice Kirk, b May 28, 1958 - married Huathau Gardner, and resides in
Houston, Texas. They have two children.
Danny Kirk, b December 12, 1959 - is not married. He resides in Dallas
Texas.
Shirley Ann Kirk, b September 8, 1960 - is not married. She works in
the office of Falls County's District Attorney.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of
these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 270 column 1 and 2 and page 271 column 1..
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.
