KIRKLAND – Carolyn Gail McKelvey Kirkland, age 75, of Macclenny, FL, entered Heaven to see Jesus on July 3, 2018. She passed peacefully in her sleep at home with her family by her side. Gail was born November 3, 1942, in Oak Ridge, TN, and later moved to Carrollton, GA, where she and her husband, Jim McKelvey, had three children. Gail was a member of Beta Sigma Fi Sorority prior to relocating to Macclenny, FL in 1983 to marry Kenneth Kirkland. Gail was active in Taylor Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, authored a book, and helped others with godly counselling. She was the founder of ABBA Ministries (Addictive Behaviors Broken from Above) that extended from counselling groups to a prison ministry that provided free study Bibles to inmates throughout the State of Florida. ABBA Ministries was so successful that Gail was chosen to receive the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award from Lake City Correctional Facility.
Gail was preceded in death by her husband, Jim McKelvey, parents, Arnold and Ruth Norman, sister, Brenda Payne, brother, Lynn Norman. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Kirkland of Macclenny, FL; children Leigh (Warren) Davis of Macclenny, FL, Wade (Joetta) McKelvey of St. Augustine, FL, Jason (Kim) McKelvey of Brunswick, GA, Tina (Lance) Veitch of Jacksonville, FL, Travis (Erin) Kirkland and Ryan (Jill) Kirkland both of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Elise (Randall) Crawford, Laurel Davis, Daulton McKelvey, Kellen (Tiffany) Hatcher, Nicholas (Sarah) Hatcher, Brianna McKelvey, Bailey McKelvey, Oliver Veitch, Molly Kirkland, Walker Kirkland, Emily Kirkland; great-grandchildren Adisynn Crawford, Arrabella Crawford, Harper Hatcher; brothers Holly (Virginia) Norman, Tommy (Blenda) Norman, sisters Betty Finchum, Mary Culberson.
Funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Kirkland will be held at 5PM following visitation starting at 3PM on Thursday, July 5, at Taylor Church with Pastors Mark Woods and Bob Proy officiating. Interment will be Friday, July 6 at 3PM at Carrollton Memory Gardens in Carrollton, GA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to ABBA Ministries, PO Box 1091, Glen St. Mary, FL 32040. Arrangements are under the care of GUERRY FUNERAL HOME of Macclenny, FL.
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