Evelyn "Jean" Kirkland

Evelyn Jean Kirkland, age 78, passed from this life and entered into eternal rest on June 21, 2026 at her home in Montevallo, Alabama surrounded by her family. She will be remembered for a life of relentless, bold faith in Jesus Christ and dearly loved by the family that she leaves behind.

Born on January 3, 1948 and raised in Rockhouse Hollow outside of Pikeville, Kentucky, Jean was the oldest of three children to Kermit and Evelyn Coleman. Shortly after she graduated from Hellier High School in 1966, Jean took a trip to Orlando, Florida to spend time with family. While visiting, she met Steve Kirkland, who was stationed there in the Air Force with Jean’s uncle. On December 24, 1966, Jean and Steve married, and spent the next 59 years of life and love together. Their life took them many places throughout the American Southeast, including central Florida and eastern Kentucky, before moving "home" to Montevallo, Alabama in 1990 to be near her family until her passing on June 21.

Throughout Jean’s life, two things she would have been most known for was her faith and love for her family. In Jean's early thirties, she surrendered her life to follow Jesus, and spent the rest of her life in a dedicated, dependent relationship with God. If you had ever spent any time with Jean, it was doubtless that eventually, some facet of her relationship with Jesus and belief in His promises was going to enter the conversation. Jean was especially known as a woman of prayer, believing that God’s Spirit actively heard her, and that He would act if she prayed. Those dear prayers from a devoted saint will be missed by those who knew her most.

Jean also had a very real and personal love for her family. In addition to the love of her life, Steve, she also had a real love for her sisters, Delene and Karen, her son, Danny and his wife, Kim, her grandchildren, Ryan and Rebekah, and her great-grandchildren, Hayden and Liam. At the very top of Jean's most treasured memories were the trips and quality time spent with her family. She treasured and remembered nearly every word from every family conversation. Jean also spent the last two decades of her life collecting and selling antiques with Steve. She was always finding new antique pieces to renovate, restore, collect or sell. Jean also had beautiful friendships and carried those friends in her heart as chosen family.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Kermit Coleman and Evelyn Coleman as well as her brother-in-law, Donnie Ramey. She is survived by her husband, Steve Kirkland; her son, Danny Kirkland (Kim); her two grandchildren, Ryan Kirkland (Lydia) and Rebekah Kirkland; her two great-grandchildren, Hayden Collins and Liam Kirkland; and her two sisters, Delene Wells (Sammy) and Karen Ramey.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10:15am at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, Alabama 35115. Rev. Ryan Kirkland to officiate.