Catherine Smith Kirkland

Catherine Smith Kirkland, 75, a resident of Midland City, AL passed away on Monday January 2, 2017 at a local hospital.

Funeral services will be held 2 pm Saturday January 7, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Catherine Smith Kirkland was born June 29, 1941 to Fannie Wertherington and Willie Griggs in Midland City, AL. Fannie was the proud mother of five children which Catherine was the fourth born.

Catherine was united in marriage with Eddie B. Taylor in 1963. To them was born one child, son Ted Christopher Taylor. Years later she was united in marriage with Emanuel Kirkland in 1976.

At an early age, she joined Turner Chapel AME Church in Midland City, AL. In later years, she joined Bethel AME Church in Pinckard, AL., and later she joined Cherry Street AME Church in Dothan, AL. where she was faithful until she got sick and her health failed. She is a member of the Eastern Star Society.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emanuel Kirkland; two sisters, Edna Mae Boykin and Annie Lou Rhodes; two brothers, Lura Frank Smith and Daniel Smith.

She leaves a son, Ted Christopher Taylor and daughter-in-law Corsenda Taylor; two grandsons, Ted Christopher Taylor, Jr. and Jonathan Pelham; two special nephews, Roydial Rhodes and Odell Rhodes; one great-nephew, Ross W. Rhodes, and their spouses, Cynthia Rhodes, Pat Rhodes, Brenda Rhodes. A special cousin Ernestine Safford and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

“Just knowing Jesus sure has paid off in my life. Come unto Jesus while you have time, though you may not have a friend he’ll go with you to the end. Come to Jesus while you have time.”