Essie Kirby was born September 21, 1913 in Tahlequah, OK, the 10th of 11 children born to William Edward and Tennie Elizabeth (Cassell) Waltman. She grew up in the Tahlequah area and made her home in Ponca City before settling in Wagoner, where she lived most of her life. Essie was the owner and manager of a bar business before her retirement. The most important things in Essie's life were her son and grandsons. Essie departed this life on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at the Fort Gibson Nursing Home in Fort Gibson, OK at the age of 97 years, 10 months, and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; all ten of her brothers and sisters; her husbands, Sam Hicks Sr. and, in 1985, Ted O. Kirby; her son, Samuel Douglas Hicks, Jr., on June 3, 1974; and two grandsons, Daryl and Donnie Hicks. Survivors include one grandson, Dennis Hicks of South Carolina; three nieces, Laverne Torix of Fort Gibson, Patricia Stacy of Jenks and Audie Lee Hamon; a nephew, James Waltman of Okay; numerous other nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Fort Gibson Nursing Home and Hometown Hospice for the care they provided Mrs. Kirby. They send a special thanks to Marcie Cox and Tina Waltman. A graveside funeral service for Mrs. Kirby will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, where Essie will be placed to rest with her husband, Ted Kirby. Arrangements are under the direction of Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner.