Friends and family of former Harding student Janie Kirby held a memorial service in her honor in the Sears lobby on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kirby was killed in a terrorist attack during Christmas Break 40 years ago. Kirby was a member of GATA social club, served as a counselor at Camp Wyldewood, and majored in elementary education.
Many who knew Kirby had the opportunity to tell stories and share memories about her life and legacy. Alumni Relations Director Liz Howell was responsible for organizing the ceremony, and President Bruce McLarty attended and paid his respects as well.
Janie Kirby was a sophomore majoring in elementary education when she was killed in a terrorist attack on a plane headed for Saudi Arabia on Dec. 17, 1973. Janie Kirby and her brother Randy Kirby, who was a senior at Harding, were on their way to visit their parents for Christmas break when armed terrorists boarded the plane and shot at the passengers. Thirty people were killed in the attack, including Janie Kirby.
Randy Kirby graduated from Harding, married and has three children. A portrait of Janie Kirby hangs in Sears lobby. At the ceremony, he was presented with a newly framed copy.
Randy Kirby said he was unprepared for such a special weekend.
“So many people showed up, I wasn’t expecting that,” Randy Kirby said. “Life has taken all of us different directions, but we are united though Christ and also through our relationship with Janie. I don’t think I can ever adequately describe how much it was appreciated, especially by my mom.”
Howell said several of Janie’s friends compiled a scrapbook of memories for her mother.
“We want her to know that Janie is still remembered,” Howell said.
Several GATA representatives attended the memorial and GATA Homecoming and Sunshine representative Holly Jones also spoke at the service.
“Janie Kirby’s memorial service was a blessing,” GATA vice president juniorTaylor Randall said. “It was so wonderful to hear all of the stories from her Harding friends and family.”
Randall said Janie Kirby was a person who lived up to GATA’s club motto, “Live pure, speak truth, right wrong.”
GATA chooses to honor Janie Kirby’s memory as they induct new members into the club each year.
“At the end of every club week, we take our new members on a history walk around campus, and we always make sure to stop at Sears lobby to honor Janie,” Randall said. “In the past, we would have read the plaque and taken a photo of all of our members next to her picture, but now we will be able to share a little about her life from the stories that we heard at her memorial. I pray that GATA will be able to pass down these stories year after year so that Janie’s life will continue to be a testimony to God.”
