Ray Kirkland

Ray Kirkland, of Metter, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Community Hospice in Vidalia.

Mr. Kirkland was born in Oak Park and was the son of the late Thomas Payne Kirkland and Ethel Lois Griffin Kirkland. He was a retired truck driver with Consolidated Freightway. Although he was born in Emanuel County, Mr. Kirkland lived in Savannah and Effingham County for twenty years before moving to Candler County in 1985. He was a member of Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and treasurer. In his early years, he was an avid basketball and baseball player. In his retirement years he enjoyed tending cattle on his farm.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Rigdon Kirkland; a brother, Thomas E. Kirkland; and a sister, Margie Kirkland.

Survivors include two sons, David Ray Kirkland (Jacinda) of Zebulon, Georgia, and Byron Scott Kirkland (Stacy) of Ellabell; a brother, Henry Kirkland of Lyons; and four grandchildren, Zachary Kirkland (Chelsea), Peyton Kirkland (Nadine), Kaitlyn Bolton (Donald), and Cooper Kirkland; four great-grandchildren, Aiden, Pio, Charlotte, and Percy; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, in Metter.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, in Metter with Pastor Richard Collins officiation.

Pallbearers will be Peyton Kirkland, Cooper Kirkland, Donald Bolton, Zachary Kirkland, and Scott Edge.

Interment will follow at Cool Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Aline.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter, is in charge of the arrangements.