WEST MEMPHIS — Roy Kirkland,
84, of West Memphis, and formerly of Barton and Portland, Ark., transitioned from this world to peace and eternal life on January16, 2022.
Mr. Kirkland, was married to the late Dorothy Rauls Kirkland for 50 years, and was the son of the late Roy and Frankie Jo Kirkland of Portland.
He is survived by a sister, Betty Faye Gulledge of Springdale, Ark., a daughter, Dr. Susan Newsom and husband, John Newsom, of West Memphis and Summerville, S.C.; his son, Lee, and his wife, Dewanda Kirkland, of West Memphis, Ark.; He also leaves four grandchildren, Ann Lyles and husband, Steven Lyles, of North Charleston, S.C., Liz Wong and husband, Kenton Wong, Memphis, Tenn., and Austin, Texas, Kaelyn Kirkland of West Memphis, Ark., and Byron Kirkland of Aieia, Hawaii; a niece; and a nephew; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his special friend, Dr. Barbara Wood of Hot Springs. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Memphis.
Roy was a career educator who retired after working 48 years as a teacher and administrator in the public schools of Arkansas. During his tenure he worked eight years in the Woodlawn School District and 40 years in the Barton-Lexa School District, five as high school principal and 35 as superintendent.
Roy earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas A&M College and a master’s degree and administrator’s certificate from the University of Mississippi where he was inducted into the Alpha Delta Kappa honorary educator’s fraternity. He began the legacy of three generations of graduates from Ole Miss. He also was a veteran of the United States Army National Guard.
Throughout his career he served and held leadership positions in several professional and community organizations. As a member of the American Association of School Administrators and the Arkansas Administrators Association, he served a term as president and on many boards throughout his tenure. He was a member and served on the executive board of the Arkansas Activities Association. His stint as a member of the East Arkansas School Masters Club included time as the organization’s president as well.
Roy was a founding father of the Great Rivers Educational Service Cooperative and from the beginning of its inception in 1985 until his retirement in 2008 he served as the president of its board.
As part of his belief in investing and giving back to the community, he served other agencies that supported education. The Phillips County Developmental Center was of particular interest to Roy. He was a dedicated member of the board and supporter of the Center and its Delta House even up until the time of his death. He assisted the agency by providing support as president of both boards during his lengthy service. During his retirement years he also served as board secretary. He served the Board of Visitors of Phillips County Community College (PCCC) for 17 years. During his PCCC board tenure the college transitioned to Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. His community service also extended to the board of Phillips County Chamber of Commerce.
Roy and his wife, Dorothy, both held in high regard the promotion of academic excellence. As a testament to this, Roy served at many levels of the state and national Beta Club organizations while Dorothy was a school chapter sponsor for 38 years. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Chapter of the National Beta Club for over 30 years, serving as its chairman for 18 years. He was a member of the National Beta Club Board of Directors for 18 years and served one term as national board chairman.
As an avid sportsman, Roy enjoyed watching all types of sports, but watching his son play and coach were two of his greatest pastimes. Watching Cardinal baseball (when they were winning) was another enjoyable spectator activity. Arkansas Razorback football, basketball, and baseball were also teams he enjoyed supporting.
In honoring his life, the family request instead of sending flowers that contributions be made to the National Beta Club Scholarship Fund, 151 Beta Club Way, Spartanburg, S.C. 29306-3012. Due to Covid pandemic, private graveside service for immediate family will be held with a celebration of life to be determined later this year.