Jessie Kirkland

Jessie Ronald Kirkland, 61, of Austin, Arkansas, passed away June 1, 2019 after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer.  He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to Jessie and Jean Kirkland.  He was a devout member of the Southside Church of Christ, and a veteran Biomedical Technician for Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock.  Ron served four years in the United States Army, and deployed to a combat zone during Operation Desert Storm.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jessie Kirkland.

Ron is survived by his wife, Marcia Diaz; mother, Jean Taylor Kirkland; sister, Becky Jean Copeland; son, Rodney Merle Kirkland and wife, Tommi Ann Kirkland; daughter, Rhonda Jean Cantu and husband, Rudy Cantu; three grandchildren who were the light of his world, Alexandria Lynn Cantu, Gabe Rudy Cantu, Eva Jean Kirkland; a niece, Kimberly Crutchfield; a nephew Josh Copeland and wife, Annie Copeland; a great nephew, Copeland Crutchfield; and many  dear friends throughout     the years.

Special thanks from the family go to Dr. Kewen Jauss and Dr. Shaw; ICU nurses from Springhill, Derek and Stacey; and his church family.

Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.  Funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Southside Church of Christ, Cabot, with burial in Blasingame Cemetery.  Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home.  www.smithfamilycares.com