Ray Edward Kirkland, 75, of Franklin, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Born in Swain County, he was the son of the late Nathaniel "Dan" Norman Kirkland and Bonnie Lequire Kirkland. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald. Ray attended Cartoogechaye Elementary School and Franklin High. He enlisted with the Navy for three years where he worked in aircraft maintenance. After leaving the Navy, he went to Michigan where he worked for three years in irrigation construction. He returned to Franklin and worked for Franklin Construction and later for Southern Concrete where he retired. Ray was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church where he served as Deacon.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ruby Woodard Kirkland. Two children, Kiplyn Moffett (Brian) of Raleigh and Chad Kirkland (Paula) of Habersham County, GA; two brothers, Ted Kirkland and Ron Kirkland both of Franklin; sister, Brenda Winkle of Clayton, GA; three grandchildren, Meghan Kirkland, Madison Kirkland and Emma Mary Moffett and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Tommy Fouts and Rev. Guy Duvall will officiate. Burial will be in the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors conducted by the VFW Post 7339 and American Legion Post 108.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Mason, Jerry Sanders, Joe Taylor, Bob McMahan, Walter Bumgarner and Ronnie Hensley.

Deacons of Ridgecrest Baptist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

Memorial donations can be made to the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery.

Condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com