Ruthie Leonard "Mrs. Red" Kirk

Ruthie Leonard "Mrs. Red" Kirk of Kingsport, TN, went softly home to Jesus on June 16, 2018 at her residence. Ruthie was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church and a retired 20 year, TN licensed realtor and broker. Starting the first Exclusive Buyers Agency in the area, she was a sharp and well respected business woman. Ruthie was also an artist, a story-teller, a solid friend, a fierce mother and grandmother, and a servant of Christ.

Ruthie was famous for her stories of growing up in Bristol, TN during World War II and was the apple of her late husband's eye, Red Kirk, who daily dedicated a song to "Mrs. Red" from his morning WGOC radio program. She was also received in Heaven by her mother, Mildred Lundy Leonard; father, Alton J. Leonard; infant sister, Iona Leonard; and brothers, Bobby and Nyle Leonard.

She is now solemnly missed by her children, Chris and wife, Svetlanna Kirk (Dandridge, TN), Piper and husband, Dan Inman (Kingsport, TN), Gary and very special daughter-in-law, Bernadette Kirk (Knoxville), and Jenny and husband, Charles Forgey (Cleveland, TN). Grandchildren, Brandy Greene, Mandy Collette, Kendrick Kirk, Dr. Gabriella Howard, Stanislav "Stass" Kirk, and her precious Chancellor Lawson will truly grieve the loss of their G.G. Her surviving siblings are brothers, Ricky Leonard and Jerry Leonard (both of Pensacola, FL), Stanley and Jewell Leonard (Stoneville, NC), and sisters, Carolyn and Allen Nigro (Mont Pelier, VA), and Kathryn Cox (Murfreesboro,TN), and sister-in-law, Mary Leonard (Church Hill, TN).

Ruthie leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews and her closest confidants, Evangelist Janet Brickey (MD) and Pastor David Mullins (SC). The family thanks most sincerely Melissa and her team at Avalon Hospice and Allendale Hematology and Oncology, Ruthie's newest friends.

A special thank you and "I love you" to Nancy "Dutch" Leonard, Ruthie's sister-in-law and dearest friend for over 60 years.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Randy Lantz officiating.

Special music will be provided by Barbara Hale and Christina Newman.


Burial will follow services in Mountain View Cemetery, 1019 East Valley Dr., Bristol, VA 24201. Pallbearers will be selected.

Cemetery Details