Mancel Kirk Obituary – April 17, 1924 – Jan. 14, 2021

Mancel Grant Kirk, 96 Years, 8 Months, 28 Days, departed this life on Jan. 14, 2021 in Jackson. Services were held at 1 p.m. Jan. 19 at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer with Charles Linam officiating.
Burial with military honors followed in the Lake Hill Memorial Gardens at Bethel Springs.
He was born April 17, 1924 in Finger, the son of the late Elbert and Musette Massengill Kirk.
He was united in marriage to Faye Marie Carpenter on Nov. 27, 1948.  She preceded him in death on Jan. 20, 1993.  He was later married to Tommye Graves, who preceded him in death on May 24, 2000.
He was a distinguished World War II veteran of the United States Army, having served in North Africa and Italy for 21 months as a member of Company G, 168th Infantry, 34th Division.  He served as a squad leader and platoon sergeant and was among the first troops to enter Rome on June 5, 1944 following the Anzio beachhead breakout.  He was awarded four Battle Stars and was proud that his division was the one to relieve the division in which Audie Murphy fought. He always wondered if he might have slept in Audie’s foxhole. Approximately eight years ago, he was interviewed by the World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., for a documentary regarding his role in the 34th Infantry Division.  The documentary may be viewed here: https://www.ww2online.org/view/mancel-kirk.  At the time of his death, he was one of only three survivors from the 34th Division.  
He lived his entire life in the Finger area where he farmed and operated the Finger Service Station for many years.  He was a substitute delivery driver on the Finger mail route for 20 years and served on the Quarterly Court for 10 years.  He enjoyed traveling with the Senior Citizens group and attending the Finger Dance and Picnic. He was a member of the Meeks Grove Freewill Baptist Church.  
He is survived by a son, Lonnie Kirk of Finger; a special friend, Ima Jean Johnson; and many extended family and friends.  
He was preceded in death by his parents; his spouses; two sisters, Burnell Langdon and Audie Horton; and a granddaughter, Mandy Kirk.