Sheryl Kirkland

Mrs. Sheryl Ruis Kirkland, age 45 of Oak Park, died Monday, January 16, 2012 in the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19th at 2:00 p.m. in the Vidalia Church of God with Reverend Ray Dawson, Pastor Dan Tomberlin, Bishop Ray Garner, and Reverend Coy Barker officiating. Interment will follow on Friday, January 20th at 1:00 p.m. in the Attapulgus Cemetery in Attapulgus, GA. The family will receive friends at the Vidalia Church of God on Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Park Church of God, 180 Hwy 86 East, Lyons, GA 30436. She was a native of Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Tallahassee. She lived in Camilla, and moved to Oak Park in 2009. She was a devoted pastor's wife, mother, and daughter. Survivors include her husband, Pastor Phillip Kirkland of Oak Park; five children, Drew Kirkland of Oak Park, David Kirkland and wife Lynn of Kennesaw, Danielle Matthews and husband Eddie of Monticello, Florida, Kyle Kirkland of Atlanta, and Chris Kirkland of Jasper; her mother, Martha Ruis of Cairo; her father, Ray Ruis and wife Geri of Tallahassee; paternal grandmother, Hazel Ruis of Tallahassee; two grandchildren, Nick and Nate Matthews; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by a son, Alex Ruis Rodriguez; her maternal grandparents, Lauder and Vera Halstead; and her paternal grandfather, J.S. Ruis. Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home in Vidalia, GA and Ivey Funeral Home in Bainbridge, GA are in charge of arrangements.