Newell Edward Kirkley

Obituary: Newell Edward Kirkley, age 90, of China Grove went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 after a brief illness. His funeral will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, April 8 at Blackwelder Park Baptist Church with Rev. Phil Goble officiating. Burial will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park with Military burial rites conducted by Rowan Veterans Honor Guard. His family will receive friends in the church sanctuary from 11:00 am to 1:00 PM Friday, prior to the funeral. Newell was born April 4, 1926 in Chesterfield County, SC, a son of the late Lewis A. and Flonnie Eubanks Kirkley. He was a WWII veteran serving as a MP in the US Army in Occupied Japan. Newell moved to this area in 1950 to work for Cannon Mills as a Weaver. He retired in 1979. Newell was a member of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church. He loved his family and will be dearly missed. In addition to his parents, Newell was preceded in death by his sisters; Azalee K. Robertson, Thelma K. Sullivan, Katherine K. Oliver, Vera Mae K. Demby, Marie K. Allen, Ellen K. Adams, Dorothy K. Oliver and by his brothers; John L. Kirkley and Pvt. Fred Kirkley, who died at the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. Newell was also preceded in death by his grandson, Matthew Rudd Farrington. Newell is survived by his wife of 69 years, Doris Johnson Kirkley of the home, his sons; Edward Lee "Sam" Kirkley (Sandye) of China Grove, Nathan James Kirkley (Patty) of Rutledge, TN, his daughter, Cathy K. Farrington (Michael) of China Grove and his "adopted" son, Marshall Eubanks (Violet) of Kannapolis and his sister, Bonnie K. Sullivan of Rock Hill, SC. His grandchildren include Angela K. Kincaid, Meredith K. Jones, Lori K. Blackledge, Jennifer Farrington, Kelly F. Moore, Marsha, Mark and Marty Eubanks. He has 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorials may be made to the Blackwelder Park Baptist Church General Fund 2204 Summit Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Visitation: 11:00-1:00 PM Friday, April 8, 2016 Blackwelder Park Baptist Church

Service: 1:00 PM Friday, April 8, 2016 Blackwelder Park Baptist Church

Interment: West Lawn Memorial Park China Grove, Nc