Ray Kirkman

Former Denton Mayor Charles Ray Kirkman, age 90 of North Bingham Street, Denton, NC died Wednesday, November 13 at his residence. A funeral service will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, November 17 at Central United Methodist Church conducted by Rev. Sharon Lee. Burial with honors provided by the North Carolina Highway Patrol will be in Mountain View Memorial Gardens. The family will see friends from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Sunday at Central United Methodist Church. Mr. Kirkman was born March 7, 1923 in Randolph County to John Franklin Kirkman and Effie Mae Steele Kirkman. He was a retired Sergeant with the North Carolina Highway Patrol where he served as an officer for 37 years. He began his patrol career in Anson County and was transferred to Davidson County where he remained until being promoted to Sergeant in 1969. He then was transferred to Rockingham County. He was again stationed in Davidson County when he retired. Mr. Kirkman was a former mayor of Denton serving from 1987 until 2003. He was an active member of Central United Methodist Church where he had served as a trustee and Chairman of the Administrative Board. He served in the Army Air Corp and was a member of AMVET Post 240, VFW Post and American Legion Post. He was a recipient of the Order of The Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian honor. He was married to Lillie Mae Hinshaw Kirkman who died September 28, 2012. He was also preceded in death by a son William L. Jones. He is survived by sons, Greg Kirkman and wife Denise of Raleigh and Jeff Kirkman and wife Kim of Lexington; Daughter-In-Law, Ann G Jones of Summerville SC; brother Cleo Kirkman of Randleman; sister Virginia Allred of Climax; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 126, Denton, NC 27239