Nancy Kay Kirk

Nancy Kay Kirk took her final journey on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and entered her heavenly home. Born in Cleburne, Texas, on February 10, 1953, to Cully Martin and Mary Elizabeth Leonard, she was the eldest of five siblings. Being the oldest child placed a great deal of responsibility on her shoulders, but Nancy proved up to the task then and throughout her life.

Nancy attended school in Alvarado and later lived and worked in Alaska, Michigan, and Florida, returning to Texas in 2015 following the death of the love of her life, Kenny Howard. Upon returning to Alvarado, Nancy earned her GED and worked in the human resources department at MTC Sanders Estes Unit in Venus for many years before retiring. She had great respect and much love for her MTC family.

Independent, intelligent, and interesting are words that adequately describe our big sister. She radiated energy and bravely fought cancer three separate times with the determination of a warrior. While never having children of her own, she loved her nieces, nephews, and stepchildren as if they were her own.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew Chase Pollard, her niece Marguerite Martin, and her soulmate, Kenny Howard. She is survived by her siblings: Joyce Dingler ( Ronnie), Lisa Ross (Steve), Danny Martin (Valerie), and Barb Pollard (Ross); her nieces and nephews: Cody Dingler, Bradley Ross, Lauren Ross Saldana, Ashely Dingler Manchester, Ritchie Martin, Cameron Martin, Clayton Pollard, Alec Pollard, Hunter Pollard, and Caroline Pollard Rendeiro. She also leaves behind to mourn her loss, her stepchildren Lyssa and Robin and their families; her great-nieces and nephews: Haleigh, Kaleb, Cheyenne, Amon, Isla, Jaxton, Parker, Bettye, Bernard, Neal Jr., Matthew, and Jenna; numerous friends, the kindest neighbors, and her little four-legged sidekick, Sammie.

Though your journey on earth is complete, your story will be told and retold in the hearts of those who love you.

“ I was just a tourist…Now I am home.”

Should you choose, in lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s’s Hospital, American Cancer Society, the Alvarado Animal Services, or a charity of your choice.