For many years Rita Kirkland served as a Sunday School Board/Lifeway Church Library Ministry Specialist. Many of our CLN members remember enjoying her excellent conferences. She participated in the development of the Church Librarians Network, the preparation of the book Church Library Ministry Information Service, and many church library ministry articles. She lived a full life which is captured in her obituary:
Rita Kirkland, a member of First Baptist Church Euless since 1981, finished her race and entered the presence of our Lord on December 6, 2023. Rita and her husband Bill faithfully attended and served at FBCE (now Cross City), and they raised their two daughters, Nanci and Traci, to do the same.
One way Rita served the Lord and the congregation of this church was by working in the church library for over 25 years, first as assistant librarian and then for many more years as the church librarian. During this time she served as one of four Library Media Specialists for Lifeway, training librarians around the US. As the Library Specialist for the SBTC, Rita traveled around the state of Texas coordinating regional and state conferences as well.
In addition to these roles, Rita played another role - on the FBCE stage! She loved drama and often appeared in musicals, plays, and church skits. Who doesn’t remember "Four Tickets to Christmas"? Many library conferences had a splash of drama added into them thanks to Rita. Her gift of decorating was also put to use in service to the Lord as she often decorated for conferences, plays, church events, and of course - the library.
Most important of all, Rita loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and living for His glory and honor was her highest priority in life. She faithfully studied her Bible and was a prayer warrior. Her love for her family was evident all the days of her life as she fulfilled her favorite roles - wife, mother, and grandmother.
She is predeceased in death by her husband Bill and is survived by her daughters, Nanci Jackson (husband Tom) and Traci Kirkland; grandchildren William, Anna and Wesley Jackson.
A celebration of life service will be held in the Chapel at Cross City Church on December 16, 2023 at 10:30 AM. The graveside service will be held on December 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM at DFW National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Cross City Church library.
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