Kirkland G. Smith
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Kirkland “Kirk” George Smith, 64, Perry, went home to be with the Lord following a heart attack on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Kirk was born on January 14, 1955, in Salina, KS, the son of Lewis Arthur and Arlene June (Emrich) Smith. He married Raylene Joy Longenecker on August 15, 1975 in Salina, KS.
He graduated from Longford Highschool in 1973, and from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO in 1978, and completed a Pastor’s Refresher course at Hyles-Anderson College in Hammond, IN in 1983.
Kirkland pastored a church near Nevada, Missouri in 1978. From 1979 to 1982, he pastored Baptist churches in Goodland and in Hiawatha, KS. In 1983, he started Victory Baptist in Lawrence, KS.
From 1986 to present he was a self-employed remodeling contractor and handyman. He also farmed in Ottawa in 1990-2017. He has been a faithful member and deacon of Heritage Baptist Church in Lawrence, KS for the past 25 years.
Loved ones remaining include his wife, Raylene of the home, and his ten children, Joy Smith, Perry, KS, Sarah Smith, Lawrence, KS, Barnabas Smith, (Ashlie), Perry, KS, Faith Painter (Jonathan), Lincoln, NE, Delight Diehl (David), Panama City, Panama, Benjamin Smith (Lindsay), Uganda, Africa, Samuel Smith (Katie), Ottawa, KS, David Smith, (Katy Jo), Perry, KS, Melody Lynch (Daniel), Collinsville, IL, Royal Smith (Ana), Lawrence, KS; 25 grandchildren; a sister, Maxine Thorne (Gary), and brother, Timothy Smith.
The family will greet friends from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2019 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at Heritage Baptist Church in Lawrence, KS. A graveside service will follow at Rosehill Cemetery, Perry, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Baptist Church for church land for missionary work in Uganda, Africa, and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
So sorry for your loss. You will see him in heaven someday. Praying for your comfort.
In Christian Love, Randy and Sharla (T.) Savage
I first met Kirk 30 years ago when I had a building project. He did a great job. 10 years later I needed another building and He was the man I called. I met him again about a month ago in a lumber yard, where else?
I knew him a man of integrity, faith and absolutely a man of his word. I referred him to others as a man who would do their job right, without any reservations.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Kirkland performed some repairs on our home one day, and we struck up an instant friendship. He would later offer my husband, Travis, a job working as a handyman in his business. We are firm believers that God puts people in your life for a reason, and Kirkland was an answered prayer for our family. Even after my husband later found full time employment elsewhere, our friendship with Kirkland continued. My husband spent many Saturdays butchering chickens with Kirkland, or helping him out on an odd job. We are so very sad to hear of his passing, but know he is home with his Heavenly Father. Our deepest condolences to his wife, his children, his many grandchildren. We will all miss him dearly.
My family attended Heritage Baptist church with the Smiths from 2003-2011. I served as a deacon with Kirk for some of those years, and I was also his adult Sunday school teacher for a portion of that time. I knew Kirk to be a man of character, integrity, and faith amongst other attributes. Kirk and his wife raised 10 children and to the best of my knowledge they all serve the Lord to this day. They are hard working honest people, and you rarely see them without a smile on their face. My family was saddened to hear of Kirks passing, but I know I’ll see him again in Heaven.
Sorry to hear of his passing, but rejoice in his home going, meeting his Savior. Your family will be in our prayers. We remember your family when you all lived in Ottawa.
– Tom and Laneita Brundage
Sorry to hear of Bro. Smith’s passing. I will always remember his yellow suit he wore every Easter plus he always had a smile on his face when greeted at church. Your family is in our prayers.
Much love and comfort to the family. We rejoice for we know he is in a glorified body, but sad because his family and friends must learn how to go on without his presence. I met the Smith family years ago and Joy and I were the best of friends. I spent many Sundays on the farm and around the table with them. Wonderful memories. Joy, if you need something, please reach out. Even if you just want to reconnect! Much love to you and your family.
Jessica Criss ( Lockwood)
(785)979-1964
Tim, I was sorry to hear of your brother passing. I think of you often and will keep you in my prayers.
Praying for all of you. May you feel God’s loving arms around you during this difficult time.
We are praying for your family. Heaven gained a great man, one who truly demonstrated God’s love here on this earth. We are so sorry for your loss. May God give you His grace through this time.
I knew Brother Smith to be a faithful man who loved Jesus and led his family well. He leaves a great legacy behind.
Thankful for the hope to meet again in Heaven made possible by the atoning death and the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
My sympathies to and prayers for all his loved ones.
So saddened to hear of Bro Smith’s passing. I think of him as quiet, wise, and godly. I’ll always remember the little grin on his face 🙂 Praying earnestly for each of you family members! We know he is in heaven now, but it is still so difficult for the ones left behind! Love you and praying for you!!
So sorry to hear of your loss! We remember his faithfulness to all the work parties at Heritage Baptist Church. Praying for comfort for the family and thankful that we know it’s not goodbye forever it’s until we meet again.
My sincere condolences to the Kirkland Smith family. Religion and personal beliefs aside, this man was the kind of man I strive to be. He would have given the shirt off his back to help someone in need. May he Rest In Peace.
So very sorry for your loss. Praying you feel the comforting arms of our Father holding you and your family up and giving you comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sadness.
He was one of my favorite regulars at the Dairy Queen on Mass. Always upbeat with a big smile on his face. I will really miss seeing him!????
Dear Kirkland Smith family,
I am so sorry for your earthly loss of Brother Smith! Prayers and love is all that Mrs. Huston and I can offer. Please know thst we love you and are praying! Brother Kirkland was always an encouragement to me everytime I came to Heritage. I know he will be greatly missed. Our desire is to be with you all at the funeral but I am on the road. Julie and my heart are with you now and in the days to come. Thank God for The Blessed Hope!
The Higgins family has many fond memories of the Smith’s from their time at Victory Baptist. We extend our condolences to Mrs. Smith and the entire Smith Family.
Amy Higgins, Gail Higgins-Shepherd, Lonnie Higgins, and Lorrie Higgins-Butell
Dear Raylene and children,
We go way back in our spiritual walk and as a Christian family. Our deepest sympathy and love to y’all. We were greatly sadden to hear of your loss but comforted you will be together again in our Lord’s loving arms. We pray for peace and comfort as you go through this difficult time. We plan to be with you Monday Eve.
Love, Bro George and Ardie Shove
We are praying for you all. Bro. Smith was always such a blessing. Know this leaves a huge whole in your family. Praying for the Lord to wrap his arms around your family at this time. Heaven sounding sweeter all the time.
To Mrs. Smith and the Smith Family
My brother Caleb and I knew Bro. Smith when we were in college there at Heritage Baptist Church in Lawrence KS. We wanted to express how sorry we are about your all loss. Bro. Smith and your family were such a blessing to us when we were in college. We know we’ll see him again some day in Heaven.
God Bless You All
Bethany & Caleb Smith
1Thess 4:13-18
Dear Raylene and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Kirkland. We remember our time together in church at Ottawa. Also, Raylene, we used to have a visit now and then in Walmart, and catch up with our families. Now, we are praying for God’s wonderful Love and Peace to surround all of you at this most difficult time.
Our Love and Prayers to all,
Joe and Melva Ream
I am very sorry to hear of your loss and you are all in our prayers. I appreciate all the time and care he showed me in my youth.
Dear Mrs. Smith, Miss Joy, Bro. Barney, Mrs. Delight and all family, praying that our loving God, the God of all comfort, will continue to comfort you and give you His sufficient grace. Sorry for your loss, but truly it is heavens gain.
Mrs. Smith, Barney & entire Smith family:
So sad to hear of Kirk’s passing & know that you are in our thoughts sending you love and comfort.
Tim & Janelle Ballew
rip bro, pour one for a lost one
real nigga