Ruth Carolyn Stewart made an early arrival at seven months to parents Thomas and Dorothy Stewart on Wednesday, September 9, 1931 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She was scrappy and a fighter from birth. Carolyn had a very happy childhood in Okmulgee alongside her older brother, Thomas, Jr. and many extended family members. Her childhood years spanned the Great Depression and World War II. Both of these events shaped her future life and how she chose to live her adult life. Thomas, Sr. was always able to provide for his family during these very difficult times and his influence on Carolyn was most apparent throughout her entire life.

Carolyn graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1949 and proceeded to the University of Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor degree in Business Education in 1953. It was at OU on a blind date where she met M. Stuart Kirk, Jr., to whom she would be married for 64 years prior to his passing in 2017. Side by side with Stuart she experienced the vagabond life of a Navy Lt. Commander and a blossoming oil and gas geologist. Stuart’s work took them from Norfolk, Va to Wyoming, Wichita, Ardmore and finally back to Oklahoma City where they settled and raised their three children David, Mary and Tom.

Carolyn excelled at being a mother. She was ever present and involved with her children’s activities, tending to their every need and providing for them as she had been taught. Carolyn became a very active member at Village United Methodist Church during this time period serving on committees, playing in the bell choir and participating in United Methodist Women. She loved to sew and make crafts for their annual “bazaar” to raise money for the church. In the 1980s she became the sole caretaker for her parents when they too moved to Oklahoma City. She developed a passion for computers and eagerly learned new programs in order to help Stuart with his company as well as researching genealogy - another passion.

Carolyn’s true excellence came though when she became a grandmother! Affectionately called “Mamaw” after her own maternal grandmother, she turned the word into an icon of love, patience, presence and devotion. There was not an activity that she said no to; babysitting, rodeos, European, New Mexico and beach family vacations, OU football games, horseshows, boating at the lake, swimming, camping, and hosting family events and celebrations. When Mamaw moved into independent living in 2025, all she wanted to decorate the walls were pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After Stuart’s passing, she soldiered on as a life-long learner remaining interested in reading, the PEO Women’s Group, Geology Wives Club, politics, oil and gas and the stock market where she was always sharp as a tack. She adored the OKC Thunder and followed their season and players as a fan. Carolyn has been an example to us all in her extreme practicality, wisdom of life, stubbornness, her Christian faith, intellect and devotion to family. She will be desperately missed.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her eldest son, David Woodson Kirk and her husband, M. Stuart Kirk, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Mary Kirk Wenger and husband Matthew Wenger, and son Thomas Allison Kirk and wife Hilary Kirk. She is also survived by her ten precious grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, George Ford Kirk, Anna Kirk Schrouf and husband Addison and daughter Penelope, Callie Kirk Kaberna and husband Frank, Ted Prince and wife Kim, David and Abigayle Wenger and Charles, Colin Stuart Wenger, Rachel Allison Wenger, Teodora Emily Kirk and husband Francesco Carota, Salem Woodson Kirk, and Giorgia Evelyn Kirk.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Vondel L. Smith & Son North Chapel, located at 13125 North MacArthur Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Okla. Private interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery to follow.

Memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org