July
14, 1914 - Feb. 8, 2010MISHAWAKA - Kirby Mae Bright, 95, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away at 9:27 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2010, at Hospice House in South Bend. She was born July 14, 1914, in Athens, Alabama, the daughter of Kirby Walter and Nora Mae (Holt) Womack. She graduated from Bay High School in Bay, Arkansas. In 1935, in Bay, Arkansas, Kirby married M. Darrell Underwood, the father of her three children. Then, in 1949, she married Jess J. Bright, who preceded her in death in 1980. A stepdaughter, Joyce Dunn, a stepson, Jack J. Bright, two sisters and three brothers also preceded Kirby in death. Kirby owned and operated "The Barrell" Restaurant in South Bend for many years. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and gambling. Mrs. Bright is survived by two daughters, Shelby Jean (Thomas) Higgins of Mishawaka and Sarah Leigh Gerber of Atlanta, GA; one son, Don (Betty) Underwood of Stuttgart, AR; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren; two sisters, Willie Belle Harris of Bowling Green, KY, and Christine MacDonald of Jonesboro, AR. She is also survived by several step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Kirby Bright will be 1:00 p.m. today, February 10, 2010, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services. Rev. Ed Erskin of Northway Church of Christ will officiate. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Kirby may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be sent to the Bright family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.