Ruby Kirkland

Ruby Kirkland, age 92, passed away in Blairsville, Georgia on Monday, November 14, 2011. She was born in Villa Rica, Georgia on August 29, 1919. Shortly after birth Ruby moved to Tampa where she spent her entire life until 6 years ago, at which time she moved to Hiawassee, Georgia with Julian, her husband of 67 Years. She graduated from Hillsborough High School and worked various Tampa Department stores while dating Julian Kirkland. They fell in love and were married on December 17, 1939. A special period of their lives was when they experienced "high alpine" living in the Sierra's of California where Julian was training war dogs for land mine duty overseas in France, Germany and Belgium. After that, Ruby served as secretary for Julian's oil jobber business for JH Williams Oil Company in Tampa. Ruby worked at First Federal Savings & Loan as a customer service representative. She was a lifelong Baptist and active in Palm Avenue Baptist and Palma Ceia Baptist Churches and later Crestview Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida. She spent her last few years enjoying the beautiful mountains of Hiawassee, her family, especially her grandchildren, and watching her favorite team, the Atlanta Braves on TV.

She is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Donna & Rob Viduna of Hiawassee, Georgia; son & daughter-in-law, Barclay & Margaret Kirkland of Bradenton, Florida; sister-in-law, Jean Hattaway of Hiawassee; brother-in-law, Don Kirkland of Webster, Florida; six grandchildren & six great grandchildren.

We will miss her and that beautiful smile she wore everyday! She loved people and had a genuine servant's heart for others. Her friends and family can attest to her loving service to all those around her. Special thanks to the staff at Stonehenge Assisted Living in Blairsville for competent, exceptional and loving care for her last 3 months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crestview Baptist Church Building Fund, 6949 Old Polk City Rd, or Florida Baptist Children's Home, 1015 Sikes Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33815.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from the Chapel of Lanier Funeral Home in Lakeland. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 until the start of the service. Interment will follow in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.

Cochran Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.