Dorothy “Dot” Evelyn Culick Kirby Altman, 92, died peacefully Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Maple Court Senior Residence in Tifton, GA. Visitation will be held on Monday morning at 10 am, December 23, 2024 followed by the funeral service at 11 am to be held in the sanctuary of the Scranton Baptist Church, Scranton, SC. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Jerry Fennel and Dr. W. Wayne Roe with graveside by Rev. Adam Work.
Dorothy “Dot” was born in Camp Branch, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Otto Victor and Queenesther Jane Jordan Culick. She was a resident of Scranton, SC and Marion, SC until relocating to Tifton, GA in January of 2021 to be closer to her daughter and family.
Dot attended Scranton High School where she was Salutatorian and afterwards began her studies at Columbia Business School in Columbia, SC. In her last semester, she was recommended for a job at Dun and Bradstreet and worked for them until her graduation. She then moved home to Scranton, SC and began working for the Murray McClendon Insurance Company. Adept in shorthand, keen with grammar, and sharp at bookkeeping, she was a highly sought-after talent in the realm of business. While working for Mr. McClendon, she also volunteered thirty-five years as the church secretary and clerk at the Scranton Baptist Church.
In the late 1960s, she and her husband, Mr. Joseph Randolph Kirby, joined his cousins, Carol and Sylvia Haselden, in opening Country Cousins Barbeque restaurant in Scranton, SC. In the early 1970s, she retired from working for Mr. McClendon and went to work full time at the barbeque restaurant as their bookkeeper and business manager. Her work at Country Cousins earned her recognition for decades as well as the moniker, “The Barbeque Lady.”
Dot had a deep love for the Lord and never hesitated to share about her Great God or quote scripture. During her active years, there was not an organization at the church of which she was not involved. Her roles included serving with the WMU, often as president, teaching Sunday School and Training Union, taking her turn in the nursery, and always cooking for someone in need of compassion. A freshly made Derby pie or cake on the counter at home was a clear indication that someone was suffering, and she was quick to make a gesture of kindness. A gifted cook, her macaroni and cheese was often the first to go from church potlucks.
Her skillset did not end in the worlds of business or cooking, however. Her closest circle also benefited from her needlepoint skills in the form of gifted bellpulls. She was a beauty her entire life, and her sweet spirit was reflected by the more intimate nickname, “Dot-Dot.” Later in life, after the passing of her first husband, the Lord brought her love again in Mr. Albert “Boots” Altman of Marion, SC who preceded her in death in November 2012. She is also preceded in death by her beloved son, Joseph Randolph Kirby, Jr, as well as her four brothers, Herbert Culick (Christine), J.D. Culick (Melva), Eugene Culick (Noveleen), Willy Culick (Linda), and sister Polly Brogdon (Sonny).
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Kirby Roe and son-in-law Wayne Roe of Tifton, GA, grandchildren Catherine Roe Ross (John) also of Tifton, GA, Joseph Kirby III (Lisa), Brandy Shott (Mike), and five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Madison, and Kennedy Shott, and McKenzie and Brynne Kirby all of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by her step-daughters Margaret Gatch (Harry) and Carolyn Conte (Rick), and four step-grandsons Gil and Lance Gatch and Cole and Wil Fitchett, along with several nieces and nephews.
Carolina Funeral Home of Scranton, SC is handling the arrangements, and memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at www.imb.org or the Scranton Baptist Church, P. O. Box 130, Scranton, SC 29591.