Ella Pearl Martin Kirk was born November 11th, 1937 in the home north of Elk City, Oklahoma, to Charles Edward Martin & Iva Pearl (Rowlan) Martin. She passed away Monday, July 25th, 2022, at Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 14 days.
Ella Pearl went to five different schools: Merritt, New Liberty, Grandview, and Cheyenne and graduated as a part of the class of 1956 in Berlin, Oklahoma. One of her friends set her up with Gordon Kirk, and their first date was roller skating. Ella Pearl was not happy because she couldn’t skate very well, and Gordon could. In spite of that first date, Gordon and Ella Pearl were married at Ella Pearl’s parents’ home North of Sayre on June 26th, 1956. To this union five children were born, June, Gary, Shirley, Ronald, and Calvin. Together they made their home in Roger Mills County and raised their family. Ella Pearl was a homemaker until 1972 when they opened Kirk Brother’s Auto Repair on Main Street in Cheyenne. She was a secretary and chased parts in her yellow 1967 Ford Galaxy 500, and from this came her nickname and CB handle, “Yellow Bird”. In 1978 they moved the garage west of Cheyenne to be near their home.
Ella Pearl cooked many meals for anyone around the shop or her children’s friends on a daily basis. Not knowing if she was preparing for two people or a crowd, she would always have plenty and usually have leftovers. While not chasing parts, being a secretary, or cooking she could often be found breaking fights up between her sons whether it was with BB guns or buckets. After her children were grown, Ella Pearl helped Gary in the Rook Theater and was elated when the family grew and began having grandchildren. Not only did she enjoy her own children and grandchildren, she enjoyed all children, especially Conner, Caleb, Abby, Austin and Langston, who held a special place in her heart.
After Gordon passed away, Ella Pearl worked many odd jobs including sitting with the elderly, baby-sitting, and being a cashier at Hanawalt’s Variety Store. Later in life, she enjoyed reading books from the library and visiting with friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two daughters, June Ellen and Shirley Gayle.
Ella Pearl was survived by her three children, Gary Kirk, Sayre, OK, Ronald Kirk and wife, Nena, Cheyenne, OK, and Calvin Kirk and wife Dusti, Cheyenne, OK; four grandchildren, Abby Kirk and fiancé, Jaryn Green, Weatherford, OK, Austin Kirk, Springfield, MO, Conner Kirk, Clinton, OK, and Caleb Kirk and wife, Chelsea, Cheyenne, OK; one great grandson, Langston, Cheyenne, OK; two brothers, Charles Martin, Amarillo, TX, and Johnny Martin and wife, Judy, Springfield, MO; two brothers-in-law, Wade Kirk, and Wallice Kirk; two sisters-in-law, Sharon Tignor, and Margie Anderson and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 30th, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Cheyenne Church of Christ officiated by Lee Padilla. Burial will follow at Berlin Cemetery under the direction of Chris Whinery and the staff of Affordable Cremation Service-West. Condolences can be made online at www.classicfunerals. com