Marilyn Kay Kirkland

Marilyn Kay Kirkland, 90, passed away on December 23, 2025. She was born on September 2nd, 1935 in Caney Creek Village, Tennessee to the late Frank and Ollie Lowe.

Marilyn was born in the Caney Creek Village of Polk County, Tennessee. Marilyn holds the distinction of being the last baby born in that village. She was raised in Benton, Tennessee and was a proud graduate of Polk County High School.

For 72 years, Marilyn was the devoted wife of Ben Kirkland. Together,they built a life in Cleveland, Tennessee, centered on faith, friendship, and family. A long-time member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland and the T.Roy Jones Sunday School class, Marilyn's life was defined by her polished style and her love for the Lord. Marilyn found great joy in the simple pleasures of life.
Whether she was competing on the tennis court, tending to her signature knock-out bushes, or cheering on the Lady Vols, she approached her hobbies with passion. Her Friday evenings were reserved for a cherished circle of friends. She spent many happy hours playing cards, shopping with her dear friend Sue Sharp, or relaxing with her beloved Yorkie, Poppy.
More than anything, she loved her family. She loved decorating for holidays and she treasured family getaways to their vacation home in sunny Melbourne, Florida. While her family will miss her deeply, they find comfort in knowing "Nana Birdie" has been reunited with her one and only cherished grandson, Tadd.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn is preceded in death by her grandson, Tadd Grider, siblings, Velma Kibble, Juanita Pritchard, Mozelle Lewis, Willburn Lowe, and her in-laws, Jack King, and Luther and Iduma Kirkland.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Ben Kirkland, children, Randy (Teresa) Kirkland, Robin (Greg) Grider, granddaughter, Whitney (Dustin) Bowman, great-grandaughters, Kate and Hannah Grider, and great-grandsons, Avery and Grey Bowman, sister, Geraldine King, as well as many special nieces and nephews.

The family will be receiving friends on December 30, 2025, from 11:00am-1:00pm, at Companion Funeral Home- The Ridge Chapel.
A Celebration of Life Service is to follow the visitation, at 1:00pm, at Companion Funeral Home- The Ridge Chapel, with Pastor Tom Wickes officiating.
A Graveside service is to follow at Red Hill Community Cemetery.
Randy Kirkland, Doug Smith, Dustin Bowman, and Avery Bowman will serve as pallbearers.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Marilyn, or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com (http://www.companionfunerals.com/). Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.

For those wishing to honor her memory, you may view her official memorial through Companion Funeral Services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.