Betty Kirby

Gaffney, SC - - Betty McSwain Peterson Kirby, 92, formerly of Blacksburg, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 22, 2026 surrounded by her loved ones.

Born in Gaffney, she was the wife of the late C.B. Peterson and Collis Kirby and the daughter of the late William Boyd McSwain and Mary Kiser McSwain Eggers. She was a graduate of Gaffney High School, attended Limestone College, was a member of The Garden Club and The Widows Club. She was retired from First Piedmont Federal and formerly worked part-time at Blakely Funeral Home. Mrs. Kirby was a member of Southside Baptist Church.

Surviving are two daughters, Ann Gordon (Tim) of Blacksburg and Susan Howard (Mike) of Gaffney; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Peterson of Gastonia; five grandchildren, Leah Stewart (Joe), Aaron Dillon (Lauren), Travis Gordon (Ashlee), Kirby Velazquez (Hector) and Katie Dover (Mike); eleven great-grandchildren; and a special friend, the late Lawrence Blackwood. Mrs. Kirby was preceded in death by a son, David Peterson; a sister, Carolyn Floyd; a granddaughter, Jennifer Peterson; and three step-brothers. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her special friend, Teresa Hardin and her caregiver, Sarah McIntyre of Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1886, Gaffney, SC, 29342 or Gentiva Hospice, 101 North Pine Street, Suite 215, Spartanburg, SC, 29302.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family will be at their respective homes.

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC