April 28, 1966 –

Jan. 16, 2012

Mrs. Sheryl Ruis Kirkland, 45, of Oak Park, Ga., died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 19, at Vidalia Church of God with Reverend Ray Dawson, Pastor Dan Tomberlin, Bishop Ray Garner, and Reverend Coy Barker officiating. Interment followed on Friday, Jan. 20, in the Attapulgus Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Park Church of God, 180 Highway 86 East, Lyons, GA 30436.

She was a native of Tallahassee, Fla., and graduated from Lincoln High School in Tallahassee. She lived in Camilla, Ga., and moved to Oak Park in 2009. She was a devoted pastor’s wife, mother, and daughter.

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.

Survivors include her husband, Pastor Phillip Kirkland of Oak Park; five children, Drew Kirkland of Oak Park, David Kirkland and wife Lynn of Kennesaw, Ga., Danielle Matthews and husband Eddie of Monticello, Fla., Kyle Kirkland of Atlanta, and Chris Kirkland of Jasper, Ga.; her mother, Martha Ruis of Cairo, Ga.; 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.

Ivey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.