Martha Dean Kirk

The Light of Martha Dean Young Kirk, 88, departed Earth on May 4, 2025 but the Light she shared with those whom she came in contact with will live on. Dean was a Christmas baby born on Dec. 25, 1936, in Lexington, TN. She joins her husband, Don Kirk, her parents Clifford and Sarah (Oxford) Young, her sister Cola Young Ramey, a nephew Joel Ramey and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, who welcomed her into Heaven's love. She is survived by three children, Dawn ( Jerry Campbell) Kirk, of Nashville; Dusty Kirk, of Linden; Donnette ( Stan ) Kelly of Waynesboro, TN; five grandsons ( Kirk, Matthew and Christian Cunningham); Kori and Don Bates and their families; one sister Nancy (Sal) Carollo, of Linden; one nephew and two nieces, and great nieces and great nephews, and cousins.
Dean graduated from Linden High School in 1954, where she was a main character in all four of her high school plays. She and Don married in 1957 and she worked at the local health department before starting their family in Linden. She was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother and member of First Baptist Church. She deeply loved her family, her church and community. She found delight in Nature, birds, and flowers. She was known for turning out massive amounts of food in her small kitchen for holidays as well as making assorted Christmas candies she delivered to people all over Perry County. Dean loved people and life. She was vibrant and had a delightful sense of humor. She never met a stranger.
In her 70's she could be found visiting area nursing homes and assisted living facilities in surrounding counties. Staff said Ms Dean talks with every resident and employee. Her smile lights up the building. In her early 80's she was fondly called the hotel "greeter" outside the Commodore in Linden where she spoke with passers - by who often made their way inside to get lunch or ice tea because of her friendly engagement. She put tens of thousands of miles on her little Sentra, that she called her "Baby". Making many trips to the Barn Theater to plays, Cheekwood, Centennial Park or just enjoying the scenery. In her words "I have cleaned the house and cooked all my life. If I stop going, I will start dying". In the last two years she lived with Dawn and Jerry in Nashville where her circle expanded to include neighbors of all ages who would stop to chat while she sat out in her wheelchair. She was visited by several of these friends in the days before her passing.
An immense thank you is due to Dr. John Guenst along with the Westwood neighbors, Jo, Sarah, Paul, Kat, John Mark, Emily, Adrianna, the Moore's and Mike, along with Kenny, Les, Nate and Austin who played music for "Miss Dean" when she first moved to Nashville. Thank you as well to Sheila, Vicky, Katrina, Freda, Diane, Clarissa, Emily, Avery, Katelyn, Charlotte, Cora and Anita who thoughtfully helped Dean in Linden.
Visitation with the family will be held Friday May 9, 2025, from 3pm until 6pm at Young Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday May 10, 2025 at 2 PM at First Baptist Church in Linden. Visitation will be from 12 noon until service time on Saturday at First Baptist Church. Interment will follow services in the Dr. O.A. Kirk Memorial Cemetery. You may contribute in honor of Dean to First Baptist Church (P.O. Box 54, Linden, TN 37096) or any charity of your choice. And in her honor truly treasured the little things, share a heartfelt smile and wave and be a servent in simple ways.
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