Deborah Rose Hamm Kirby

Deborah Rose Hamm Kirby, 73, of Terry, MS, passed away October 10, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family and her loyal best friend, Ava Mae, her beloved Maltese.

Deborah was born and raised in Iuka, MS, in Tishomingo County. Prior to her retirement, she worked for 25 years as a surveillance coordinator with Entergy Operations at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. She was fiercely independent, deeply dedicated, and a hard worker.

Jim was Deborah’s soulmate. They rode to and from work together and played golf ALMOST everyday-ALWAYS together. Now, they are once again together. ❤️

Survivors include her daughter, Shelley Alexander (Craig) of Terry, MS; her sons, Jeremy Kirby (Malana) of Vicksburg, MS, and Jason Kirby of Memphis, TN; her sister, Lisa Smith (Steve) of Iuka, MS; and her brother, Mark Hamm (Cindy) of Iuka, MS.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emileigh Smith (Brady) of Brandon, MS; Reagan Hearn of Hattiesburg, MS; Presley Tidwell of Anniston, AL; and Jeremy Luke Kirby of Vicksburg, MS; two great-grandchildren, with another on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward “Jim” Kirby; her mother, Mary Frances Hamm; her father, Edward Nelson Hamm; and her brothers, Thomas Edward Hamm, Ronald Stewart Hamm, and John Timothy Hamm.

Visitation will be Tuesday 5pm-8pm at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs, MS and Thursday 12pm-1pm at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS. Graveside services will be 1:30pm Thursday at Snowdown Methodist Church Cemetery.

In honor of Deborah’s love for animals, memorial donations may be made to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Drive Extension, Jackson, MS 39204, 601-969-1631.