Brian Derrick Kirkland

Brian Derrick Kirkland, age 37, of Tellico Plains, finished his race here on Earth and went Home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, Dec. 7,2022.

Derrick, known as “D” to all those who loved him, was born on March 27, 1985.
He was a 2003 graduate of Tellico Plains High School. His senior year of high school, he met the love of his life, Casey, and their love story began with a rose and card sent to her homeroom class on Valentine’s Day. They were married in October of 2006. For nearly 20 years, he loved her deeply with a pure and patient kind of love.

Derrick was a devoted and present father to their three boys, and considered them to be his biggest accomplishment in life. He was immensely proud of them and never missed any of their ballgames or other activities. He loved to talk sports with Caden, play guitar with Eli, and tinker with Transformers with Jordan. His family was his whole world. His close relationship with his parents stemmed from the way they raised him. He loved his mother, Tracie, deeply and considered his father, Brian, one of his closest friends. He also had a special relationship with his brother, Shaun. The two of them worked for years alongside their father, and while they picked on each other practically nonstop, at the end of every day, they were also best friends.

As a coach, Derrick also left a great impact on a countless number of local youths. Called “Coach Kirkland” by his football boys, he set an example of how to be an encourager and motivator, while never being afraid to let the love of Jesus shine through him. He loved the young men he had the privilege of coaching, and so many loved him back fiercely.

A “gentle giant,” Derrick had a quiet, calming demeanor, and he wore compassion on his sleeve. He never hesitated to help someone in need. He was humble, honest and a hard worker. His presence was a light in any room he was in.
Derrick enjoyed fishing, hunting and any sport that his boys were involved in. He was a Florida Gators football fan and got a kick out of some friendly trash talk with his Tennessee Vols’ friends.

Most importantly, Derrick loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A devout Christian and a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church, he lived his life in a way that made him a true testament of how to love others and how to show kindness to everyone you meet. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Derrick was preceded in death by his grandfather, Carl Smallin; grandmother, Annis Kirkland; great-grandparents, Nellie and Otis Jones, Laura and Hoyt Harris, and Molly and Sam Kirkland; and cousin, Michael Mashburn.

Left behind to cherish his memories are his wife of 16 years, Casey Kirkland;
Three sons, Caden Kirkland, Eli Kirkland and Jordan Kirkland; parents, Brian and Tracie Kirkland; brother and sister-in-law, Shaun and Chelsea Kirkland; sisters-in-laws, Jenna Raper and husband Chris, Nikki Williams, and Kenzie Williams; nephews, Ruger and Wesson Kirkland, and Evan and Olsen Raper; grandparents, Bonnie Smallin, and Ronald Kirkland; many aunts and uncles and cousins; special family members, Paul Kirkland, Jesse Smallin, Nicole Smallin, Cody Smallin, Corey Smallin, Carla Taylor, Carlissa (Tiny) Smallin, and Shauna Smallin; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Suzanne and Bryan McCarter; his church family at Holly Springs Baptist Church; and many more family members and friends, who loved him very much.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 5:00 p.m., to 7:00 p.m., at Myers Funeral Home in Tellico Plains. If you are unable to pay your respects during the visitation, the chapel will be open from 12:00 noon for friends to come at their convenience.

Funeral service will be held Monday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Matthew Miller and Raymond Phillips officiating. The burial will follow at Beaty’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery Paul Kirkland, Jesse Smallin, Jeff Smallin, Matt Plemons, Josh Millsaps, Matt Phillips, Chase “Diesel” Hunt, Bryan McCarter, and Darby Frerichs will serve as pallbearers.