Christine Kirkley

Our beloved Christine Kirkley, age 93, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, in Cleveland, Alabama.

Chris was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, Grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. Over the years she served her community, first through the Telephone Pioneers of America by her leadership and civic activities as “Rainbow the Clown”, then upon retirement through service and leadership at Helpline Christian Outreach.

A simple obituary can’t convey a lifetime of memories and moments of the many lives she touched. True biblical love is patience, generosity, humility, courtesy, restraint, joy and consistency. Her love was always consistent, never failing, not just with her family, but the many lives she touched throughout her ministry fulfilling all of Paul’s descriptive letter of love to the Corinthians. She journeyed through many valleys and faced many challenges throughout her long life and her faith never faltered.

Chris is survived by her son, Stan Kirkley (Reba) and daughter in Christ, Kellie Thomas; grandchildren Eli Kirkley (Alana), Daniel Kirkley (Sarah), Hannah Smith (Kyle), Isaiah Kirkley (Kaylee), and Justin Thomas (Alexandra); great grandchildren Eloise Kirkley, AJ Smith, Hayes Smith and Gwen Kirkley (May 2026); brother Earl Kinney (Marie), sister Mildred White and many nieces and nephews.

Chris was proceeded in death by her parents Vester and Josephine Kinney; husband Jack Kirkley; brothers Arthur Kinney (Evelyn), Orus Kinney (Pat), Oren Kinney, John Kinney; sisters Francis Carroll (TB) and, Madge Pannell (Harold).

Pallbearers will be Eli Kirkley, Daniel Kirkley, Isaiah Kirkley, Kyle Smith, Justin Thomas and Ben Thompson.

Services are being held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, Alabama 35235 on Wednesday February 4, 2026. Visitation starts at 1:00PM, service at 2:00PM, followed by a grave side service. Officiating her service is Isaiah Kirkley and Mart Gray.