Sharon Lee Kirkland - Presbytera Sophia

She was born at White Cross Hospital in Columbus, Ohio on 30 April 1944 to Thomas Simpson Edgington and Garnett Evelyn Mitchell.

Survived by her husband, Rt Rev Michael D. Kirkland of New Albany; Sons, William of Columbus, Robert of New Albany and Michael of Louisville, Kentucky; Daughter, Yan Sah Kirkland of New Albany; Grandchildren, Alec Eleftherion of Reynoldsburg, Paige Eleftherion of Newark, Anya and Leah Kirkland of New Albany; Brothers, Thomas Edgington (Sharon) of Santa Clarita, California and William Edgington (Pamela) of Sacramento, California and Sister, Barbara Edgington of San Diego, California.

Preceded in death by her Parents, Thomas of Ocoee, Florida and Garnett of Columbus; Brother, John Edgington of San Diego, California; Sisters, Valerie Edgington of Orlando, Florida, Deborah Alford of Flint, Michigan and Step-Sister Rhona Benadum of Columbus.

Sharon accompanied her husband, Father Michael, and was know as Presbytera Sophia (being an honoured title meaning "priest's wife") serving in various Orthodox parishes in Central Florida and in Whitehall and New Albany, Ohio. Her profession was in the nursing field which was highlighted for many years at the Orange County Crisis Center and as a travelling home nurse in Orlando, Florida then in various nursing/retirement homes in Central Ohio. Together, in the early 1990s, they founded and operated the former Kirkland Funeral Services in New Albany and, since 2003, Emergency Bail Bonds to help Defendants and their families through the Courts and Legal Systems in Central Florida.

Presbytera Sophia has been a strong influence for the Orthodox Church of America, was an avid Iconographer, painting many of the Holy Icons in their parishes and an established baker as well. She loved all her grandchildren and set an exemplary example for them and all the Kirkland Family...she would remind you about her strong Judeo-Christian heritage and always called a "spade a spade"...she was greatly loved, respected and will be sorely missed...

Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Friday, June 26, 2026, there will be a visitation from 5:00 pm until 6 pm and a celebration of life from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service - TRISAGION FOR THE DEAD will take place at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230, on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 9:00 am.

TRISAGION FOR THE DEAD - Burial following service will be at Union Cemetery Association, 3349 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, on June 27, 2026.