Jessie M. Kirkland

Jessie M. Kirkland, 78, of Ward, Arkansas, passed away April 18, 2012 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born in El Paso, Arkansas to Troy and Allie Kirkland. He was a faithful member of the Southside Church of Christ and a retired building contractor. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bobby Kirkland; and sister, Troy Lee Moore. Jessie is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Taylor Kirkland; son, Ronnie Kirkland and wife, Marcia; daughter, Becky Copeland; brother, William Kirkland; sister, Lou Riley; four grandchildren, Rhonda Cantu and husband, Rudy, Josh Copeland, Kimberly Crutchfield, Rodney Kirkland and fiancée Tommi Ann Wheeler; three great-grandchildren who were the joy of his life and who loved their Papa, Alex Cantu, Gabe Cantu and Copeland Crutchfield; and dear friends of forty years, Bill and Betty Russell. Special thanks from the family go to Dr. Mahzer, Dr. Bucalo and the oncology nurses from Arkansas Oncology; surgeons Dr. Shaw and Dr. Quereshi; nursing staff for Room 216 at Baptist Springhill; and nurses from Arkansas Hospice. Memorials may be made to UAMS, Arkansas Cancer Research Center, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 20, 2012, at Southside Church of Christ, Cabot, with burial in Blasingame Cemetery. www.westbrookfuneralhome.com.