Cecil Kirkland Obituary

From the moment I met Kirky Kirkland I thought he was an amazing person! He always made me laugh and smile and he always seemed to brighten up the room when he came in! I enjoyed working with him as a stagehand in the theater business he was a true professional and really knew his craft! I looked forward to listening to his many exciting stories sitting around his house and laughing for hours on end! He was a true original and a Gentleman. He was a good friend and I will miss him very much. I know that no matter where he is he's having fun and making people laugh because he was a very special person who cared about everyone around him. I have many things to thank Kirky for he was a good friend he made me smile a lot and my whole family will miss him dearly.

I didn't know Kirky well, but he did lots of the wallpaper in my house. I was shocked to hear of his death. Kirky was always cheerful and funny, a colorful character. I really enjoyed working with him, and he always did a great job. I'm so sorry to hear the news, and sorry for your loss.
Lynn

I was away when Kirky passed. Just heard from a mutual friend. Great guy...he will be missed. Prayers to his family

Kirky was one of the best and lively people I have ever met. He will be sorely missed. So it goes.

Stephen,thinking of you and your mother. Now I know where your caring for all people comes from...
God and Cecil.
You
Your Christian Friend,
Wally Jean Stone

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Kirkland family. Kirky and I were classmates, bandmates, and friends throughout high school and beyond. The one memory I shall always have of Kirky was that he was fast: he was in, he was out, he was here, he was there. Having said that, Kirky would stop on a dime if he thought you needed help or a kind word. Rest in peace my friend - I love you like a cousin.
- Jack Kearse

The CEO will most definitely be missed by many! Rest in peace Kirky, Taylor and I are so sad to lose such a wonderful neighbor and friend. My condolences to his family.

Taylor and Anita Durden

well Kirky, I hope by now you have found something to paint while you have transitioned to another place in time. though you have had your share of pros and cons, I hope you are resting well. Peace out my friend!

Kirky was a hoot! From Middleton to Spartanburg Methodist to sitting on his front porch a few weeks ago reminiscing, he was still the same funny, storytelling, genuine Kirky I've always known! He was proud of and loved the Class of "74. He worked tirelessly to keep in touch with classmates including me! He made a lot of people happy and he will be missed! Good job, Kirky! See ya in Heaven! RIP!

My heart is broken about the news of Kirky's passing. It seems like only yesterday that Kirky and Stephen visited their relatives in Alabama during the summer and Thanksgiving holidays. My brother Dwayne and I couldn't wait for their arrival and we felt a great emptiness when they left. Stephen was the cowboy and Kirky was always the Indian. Those were the best days ever. Kirky, you will forever live in my very fondest childhood memories. Stephen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I am so saddened to learn of Kirky's death. It seems like only yesterday he was a little boy laughing and running around Trinity with Stephen. Sunday mornings were always such fun as I got to visit with Leonora, Cecil, Kirky and Stephen. Trinity was truly one big family of hugs and love. I had the pleasure of visiting Trinity on a rare visit to Charleston. I remember thinking Kirky cannot possibly be a grown man now. Our conversation was such fun. My love goes out to Leonora, Stephen and all his many friends and family. I will always remember that smile, and I know Heaven has a new guardian angel watching over all those that he loved.

So sorry for your loss. May the family have peace and rest from Almighty God during this time.
Porter

I am very sad to learn of Kirky's passing. He was always a kind and helpful person and so happy! He always spoke to you in the hallways at school-and was never mean or ill-spirited. He worked so hard to communicate to all of our Middleton Class of 1974 classmates and keep our reunions alive. I can still hear his voice on the phone when he would call me and ask me if I was coming to a reunion and the call always ended with "I will always love you"-what a great person he was! Rest in Peace, Kirky!

My deepest condolences to the family. I lost my uncle just last month. Same age as Kirky, also from cancer. Jeremiah 29:11, 12 assures us that God is thinking thoughts of peace towards us, to give us a future and a hope, and that if we come and pray to Him, He will listen to us. May that bring you comfort in this time of sorrow.

Kirky was a devoted, proud member of Trinity, whom you could always count on for a Trustees repair or simply his presence at a church event. He loved our kids, and they loved him. He could never remember their names, so he referred to girls as "Scooter" and the boys as "sport". They loved it.

A funny memory I have of Kirky was one time he was touring some visitors around Trinity, and he was in the chapel explaining the history of our Tiffany, stained glass window. I happened to be walking by, when the visitor asked him, "Oh, is that your wife?" He replied, "I don't have a wife!!"

He always had a story to tell, and he knew how to make us laugh. Trinity won't be the same without you, Kirky. We love you and will miss you!

He would say to me when we would say good bye I love you like a cousin .
Loved to talk to him, he always made me laugh with his stories.
Praying for all his friends and family who have lost such a wonderful man.

This is so hard for me as I'm sure it is for so many others. I put down my relationship to Kirky as a friend, but he was so much more than that. I've known him almost my entire life, since moving to West Ashley at the age of 11. We were classmates, friends, Boy Scouts and brothers in mischief together throughout the years. I don't think I've ever known anyone else who has touched so many lives so positively through his enormous spirit and attitude. What a grand smile he had! He truly epitomized and lived by the saying, "There are no strangers, only friends we haven't met, yet". Kirky was a friend to all, and a brother to so many, like me. He always ended every conversation we had with "I love you, mean it". And you know what, I always knew he meant it. My deepest sympathy and condolences to all his family and friends at his passing. Goodbye for now, Kirky, until we meet again. I love you, mean it.

I am so sorry to hear of Kirky's passing. I remember him fondly with his larger than life personality and his story-teling. Prayers of comfort for family and friends.

I am Kirky's cousin and I and my sister Kaye grew up with Kirky and Stephen. We are all pretty close in age and spent a lot of time together summers and at holidays. When they lived in West Oak Forrest, we played a board game called Candyland. This prompted Kirky and me to pretend we really went to Candyland. At various times of the day Kirky and I would tell Kaye and Stephen that we were going to Candyland to get candy and we'd get in the living room closet and be real quiet for about 2 minutes. Then we would come out of the closet smacking our lips and talking about how great the candy was that we had just had. Stephen and Kaye did not believe us but Kirky and I had a fabulous time trying to get them to!
Kirky and I both loved to read and I admired him for reading under the covers at night with a flashlight when he was supposed to be asleep.

Once when we were adolescents, the Kirklands were visiting our family, and Aunt Lenora (Kirky and Stephen's mother) asked Kaye and me to teach Kirky and Stephen how to dance to rock music. I remember the 4 of us in my bedroom playing my record player and us showing Kirky and Stephen how to swing their arms and move their feet to the beat of the music. I think some of the music was Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.

Kirky loved all his childhood friends in West Oak Forrest and Wespanee and enjoyed having friends at his home on Magnolia Road. He probably had more friends than anyone I know and it was of incredible importance to him that these friendship ties stayed strong. He was always eager to tell of his latest adventure or exploit or opinion about something. He loved Charleston and was proud of how many people he knew and how well he knew the city.

We will all miss him. As Stephen said, Kirky was so full of life. It is hard to imagine this liveliness stilled. He meant a lot to many people and my heart goes out to them and to Rhonda who knew him so well and took such good care of him.
Gail Tanner

May our all knowing, all powerful, all present God surround you with His comfort, peace and love now and in the coming days.

Kirky will be missed but not forgotten. Our friendship goes back almost our entire lives. Thanks for the memories. I love you, brother. Mean it.

I was saddened to hear of Kirky's passing. He was a very caring person. I applaud him for keeping the Middleton Class of '74 informed of events and other circumstances involving our graduating class. May you rest in eternal peace.

Kirky was as everyone says " full of life, love, laughter and pure giving of the heart and soul with all of his might. From the time we were little and we played red rover and hide and seek..whether on the lawn of trinity methodist church or by the fields of coburg dairy ....it was always full of love and laughter(because he was there). He shared so many stories of fun he had as a stage hand and how Willie Nelson would bellow his name "kirky" when he needed his assistance as we all knew he would always help. He wanted so much to make sure his mother, Lenora, and girlfriend Rhonda would be taken care with the confidence that Stephen would be there to help. It has been one of my greatest pleasures and honour to know and love kirky as we all appreciated his generouaity of spirit and kindness but especially to my brother Thad. Kirky you will always know how much we love you but never know how truly blessed we have been by the warmth of your life. Thank you

Kirky hung every inch of wallpaper in my house for over 30 years! Not only was a professional, he was fun to be around. He will be missed by many.

I've known Kirky for over 40 years and I can honestly say he was the kindest and happiest man I've ever met. I really can't ever remember seeing him without a smile on his face. If you needed any help and asked he was always there for you. I have no doubt he has his wings and is with a few other great friends we have lost these past few years! We will meet again, just not now! My condolences to the family and his girlfriend.
Robin King-Murray

Praying that Kirky's family find comfort during this time, knowing that Kirky is no longer suffering, and has found peace with his Heavenly Father!

I am devastated to hear this about kirky he will be missed by many,so many memories he left us .

The visitation at Stuhrs will be MONDAY from 5 to 7 PM.
Mom won't be able to be there Monday evening but she will receive friends Tuesday at 10 AM at Trinity.

Had a lot of wonderful times with Kirky in the Middleton Band. He was a Great longtime friend.

Haven't seen Kirky since high school,but remember him fondly. I know he will truly be missed. My condolences to his family.

Shawn Forbes Davis

Kirky was one of a kind. He was smart, funny, and larger than life! He was a storyteller like no other, honest, and he looked out for others. We need more people like him in this world. Charleston is a better place because Kirky lived here. My condolences to his family and to Rhonda.

True one of a kind. He was my neighbor for 20 years and he was the best. Always had a story. Gone way to soon. Proud to call you my friend. Love you like a cousin.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kirky while working at Trinity UMC. He was so kind and a real joy to be around..My condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

Elisa Dicksie Tunno

Uncle Kirky I miss you so much! It doesn't seem real but I want you to know in heaven that I'm here with Rhondy and she'll never be alone! I'm so sorry i couldn't make it in time but just know I love you, mean it!-Caroline

For you my dear friend. I miss you so much already. My deepest sympathies to your family and of course Rhonda. RIP. I love you. Becky

Kirky, you will be truly missed. I loved listening to your stories. You always made me laugh. I didn't grow up with you or go to high school with you, but I did know you for 20 yrs. I miss you already. My deepest sympathies to your family and of course Rhonda. I love you. Becky

I am so sorry to hear about Kirky , he was such a wonderful person. I pray the Lord gives you a peace and comfort through this time knowing he is now in the presents of our Lord. He was loved by so many.

I had no idea Kirky was even sick! So very sad....we go back to the early 80's. Kirky is a legacy...he will be sorely missed.

I have loved Kirky since his early childhood. I don't ever recall seeing him without a smile on his face. I fondly remember laughing with him in our chance encounters around Charleston in recent years.
I also love and deeply respect Lenora and Cecil, Kirky's mom and dad. From my early childhood I recognised in them a love and devotion to Jesus and a willingness to serve our Lord and savior.
My deepest sympathy go to Lenora, Stephen, Kirky's other family members and many friends.

Always fun, always funny, always caring. Kirky was truly one of a kind- and he will be missed. He was the unifier and connector for Middleton High School Class of 1974~ May you rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Kirky's family~

Regards, Sue Hofford, Class of '74 MHS

My heart is broken. You will be missed dearly.
Love you like a cousin.

I have years of wonderful and fun memories with kirky. Can't post them here though. He knows. Losing Kirky leaves an empty space in Charleston. He meant a lot to my brothers and I, and will be missed by so many of his friends. I'm so sorry I won't be at his service. Kirky will always live in my heart. ❤❤❤❤❤

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

I was completely surprised to hear of Kirkys passing,I didn't know he was sick.
He was always so upbeat and Happy to see and be seen. RIP dear friend.

Omgosh I'm so sorry to hear this!! I had no idea!! Rest In Peace my friend!!

Rest. Rest. Rest brother. You fought hard

Kirky was one of a kind, no doubt. He had so much energy and always ready to go. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him in years. So very sorry to his family and loved ones during this time.