Obituary

To be rid of pain and this mortal coil, I shall no longer endure earth’s strain and toil.

When all my mundane work is done, with joyous peace I shall meet the omnipotent one.

No longer misunderstood by friends or foe, I shall forever bask in Heaven’s glow.

When I am gone, you may shed or drop a tear, but be not concerned, my celestial course is clear.

After reaching the end of your earthly trod, be prepared to meet me around the throne of God

The last chapter ended and the book closed on the family of late Nathan and Mattie Bazemore Lee with the passing of their last off-spring, Jannie Lee Kirk, who was named Jannie Ruth Snow at birth.  She entered eternal rest on September 1, 2020 joined the heavenly host around the throne of God.  Jannie was born in Bertie County, North Carolina on June 22, 1926.  She attended public schools there and graduated from J. B. Bond High School as Valedictorian of her class.  After J. B. Bond she attended Shaw University and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Later she was awarded a Master of Education by Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

On July 11, 1952 Jannie was married to a young law student, the late Benjamin F. Kirk, who practiced law in Philadelphia, PA.  Bennie passed away on September 19, 1995. Jannie’s first job after college was teaching in Warren County, Georgia.  She also taught at W. S. Etheridge High School in Windsor, N.C. before marrying and moving to Philadelphia.   In her search for fulfillment, Jannie worked in several professions including working for the Philadelphia Tree Library, Pennsylvania Department of Welfare as a caseworker, Philadelphia Department of Welfare as a Social Worker, and the Philadelphia School System as a Guidance Counselor.  In 1988 she retired as a Guidance Counselor from the John Wanamaker, Jr. High School in Philadelphia, PA.

Jannie was affiliated with numerous organizations: Philadelphia Retired Teachers, Philadelphia Teachers Union, Philadelphia School Counselor’s Association, Barristers’ Wives’ of Philadelphia, Shaw University Alumni Association, Portsmouth Retired Teachers, NAACP, YMCA, Cavalier Manor Senior Citizens Club and the Portsmouth Red Hatters (Sassy Snappers).

Jannie has always adhered to the covenant of the Baptist Church and she was true to her faith.  She always joined a church in the community in which she lived.  She joined the Mt. Herman Temple Baptist Church of Portsmouth, VA by letter from the Providence Baptist Church of Philadelphia, PA.  She later joined the Olive Branch Baptist Church of Portsmouth, VA and attended faithfully until her health started failing.  Jannie was a member of the Missionary Society!

Jannie leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

When my mortal coil is being returned to dust

Drop a tear of love for me, if you must

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glint on snow

I am the sunlight on repined grain

I am the gentle morning rain

And when you wake in the morning hush

I am the sweet uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight

I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not stand at my grave and cry

I am not there, I did not die

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