Dorothy Lynn Rauls Kirkland

Dorothy Lynn Rauls Kirkland, 72, of West Memphis, formerly of Barton and Rison, transitioned form the pain of cancer to peace and eternal life on July 10, 2011. Married to Roy Kirkland for 50 years, she was the only child of the late Robert Lynn and Annie Geneva Rauls of Herbine. Mrs. Kirkland also leaves her daughter, Susan and husband, John Newsom, of Knoxville, Tennessee, her son, Lee Kirkland and his wife, Dewanda of West Memphis, Arkansas, four grandchildren, Ann and Liz Newsom of Knoxville and Kaelyn and Byron Kirkland of West Memphis and two great yard mutts, Molly and Penny. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Memphis. Mrs. Kirkland attended Rison High School where she played basketball and performed in the marching band. She attended Arkansas A&M College and graduated from Henderson State University. During her 48 years in public school education, she was a home economics, English and Science teacher and elementary and high school librarian in the Woodlawn and Barton-Lexa public school systems. Mrs. Kirkland devout belief in the potential of education to empower individuals to improve their lives was evidenced by her lengthy professional tenure. During her career she adamantly promoted academic excellence as demonstrated through her service of 42 years as a Beta Club sponsor. She also was a member of the education professional sorority of Delta Kappa Gamma in which she served on the scholarship committee and as president. Mrs. Kirkland enjoyed many hobbies, but was most well-known as a devoted wife, mother and a great cook. Many Barton community members enjoyed her tenure as church hostess and students enjoyed the refreshments she brought to special students club meetings. She took great pride in her husband's, children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. Her pets, gardening and sewing. In honoring her life, the family request instead of sending flowers that contributions be made to the national Beta Club Scholarship Fund, 151 Beta Club Way, Spartanburg, SC 29306-3012 Visitation will be Tuesday July 12, 2011 from 10-11 a.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis and services starting at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with interment following the services at Prosperity Cemetery in Rison, Ark.