Ethelia Kirkman

Ethelia G. Kirkman NORFOLK - Ethelia G. Kirkman, 90, of the 5700 block of Cornick Road, entered eternal rest Aug. 12, 2009. She was born in New London, Conn., Sept. 6, 1918, to Horace Robert Gardner and Mary Elizabeth Newcombe Gardner. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Clifton S. Kirkman. Surviving are her three daughters, E.K. "Skip" Sutherland of Jensen Beach, Fla., June E. Keating and her husband Woodrow Keating of Chesapeake, and Carol J. Kirkman of Pembroke Pines, Fla. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Glenn R. Astles, Steven K. Astles, Todd J. Astles of Jensen Beach, Fla., and Wendy L. McCarson and Michael G. Keating of Chesapeake; and two great-granddaughters, Chelsea R. Keating and Kaitlyn L. Donnelly. Mrs. Kirkman was a member of Burrows Memorial Baptist Church, Norfolk. She was a Past Worthy Matron of Norview Chapter, No. 131, Order of the Eastern Star; a charter member and Past Royal Matron of Mace Court No. 9, Order of Amaranth; Past Guardian of Bethel No. 15, International Order of Job's Daughters and Past Noble Grand of Virginia Rebekah, Lodge No. 13. The funeral will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Norview Chapel, with Pastor Don Harris officiating. The family will remain after the service for visitation. Burial will be in Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Norfolk SPCA or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to her caregivers from Home Instead, to the staff at Allzwell Assisted Living and Odyssey HealthCare for the kindness, love and support shown to her during the last months.