Carmela Kirkland

Carmela Kirkland, a resident of Dothan, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2010 at Ft. Knox, KY. She was 18.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, August 6, 2010 at Northview Christian Church with Pastor Hart Ramsey officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in Gates of Heaven Cemetery with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.Carmela L. Kirkland was born on 15 July 1992 in the town of Dothan, Alabama to Xavier and Cindy Kirkland. Her family members include her sister Carmen, her brothers Xavier Jr., Demtric and Kwan Evans and her stepmother Sandra. Carmela grew into a very ambitious and athletic young lady. As a high school student, she played four years of Varsity basketball and completed all four years in Varsity track. She also excelled academically earned a 3.19 high school GPA. She was very active in her church and youth ministry at Northview Christian Church.She drew inspiration from her uncle, Master Sergeant Mark Kirkland and her cousin Shalandria who is a rising senior Cadet at Marion Military Institute, and Cameron and Shatoria senior cadets at Stephen F. Austin University. Carmela decided to follow in their footsteps by serving her country as a United States Army officer.The first step to following her dream was attendance at the Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It was here that she became known as a remarkable inspirational leader who exuded natural bearing and presence. She was, and remains, a tremendous example and source of strength for family, her peers and all who have come to know her.rn Burial Date: January 1, 1970