A Concurrent Resolution s2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 10 11 TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF KEISHA 12 KIRKLAND, FORMER METEOROLOGIST FOR WYFFTV IN 13 GREENVILLE AND PHILANTHROPIC CHAMPION FOR 14 LUNG CANCER AWARENESS. 15 16 Whereas, the daughter of Ennis and Linda Tillman, Keisha 17 graduated with honors in 1989 from Danville High School in 18 Kentucky, where she excelled in sports. She attended the 19 University of Louisville and completed her doctor of chiropractic 20 at Life University in Georgia, graduating cum laude in 2000. 21 Keisha also studied meteorology at Mississippi State University 22 and later worked as a weather anchor for WYFFTV in Greenville. 23 In 2002, she married Lorenzo Levon Kirkland, former Clemson 24 star and NFL AllPro linebacker; and 25 26 Whereas, during her senior year of chiropractic school, Keisha 27 discovered she had a pituitary macro adenoma. After several brain 28 surgeries, temporary paralysis, and a painstaking recovery, she 29 beat the diagnosis, but in 2008 she was confronted with an entirely 30 new challenge: stage 3A nonsmall cell lung cancer. Keisha, a 31 nonsmoker, endured surgery and months of radiation and 32 chemotherapy and became a survivor committed to helping others 33 win the fight against lung cancer. Her devoted husband, Levon 34 Kirkland, was a strong support to her in all her undertakings, as 35 was the couple’s delightful daughter, Kennedy; and 36 37 Whereas, as part of her ministry, this woman of strong Christian 38 character began speaking whenever she could to a variety of 39 church and support groups on the importance of health, prevention, 40 and healing through faith. Her hope was to inspire and encourage 41 others facing personal struggles; and 42

[4867] 1 1 Whereas, Keisha began working with Uniting Against Lung 2 Cancer (UALC) in 2009 when she and Levon partnered with 3 UALC to create the Keisha & Levon Kirkland Fund: Tackling 4 Lung Cancer. Keisha’s philanthropic efforts continued in 2010 5 when she, with the support of friends and family, hosted the 6 Celebration of Life Gospel Gala in Kentucky to celebrate life and 7 encourage unity among all affected by lung cancer; and 8 9 Whereas, she selflessly loaned her celebrity status to other lung 10 cancer events, including Lungs4Life in Greenville and Kites for a 11 Cure®: Folly Beach, both events benefitting lung cancer research 12 through UALC. Her friends will continue the tradition of Kites for 13 a Cure® in her memory this spring; and 14 15 Whereas, the phenomenal, brilliant, and driven Keisha Kirkland 16 was a woman of poise, determination, and courage. With a radiant 17 personality and warm spirit that were evident in her smile and 18 genuine love for people, she, together with her husband, spread a 19 message of hope, faith, and perseverance that inspired many. 20 Above all, Keisha possessed a strong faith in Jesus Christ, which 21 was evident in her extended battle with her illness and which never 22 wavered. She lost a valiant fight against lung cancer on October 23 29, 2013, at the age of fortyone; and 24 25 Whereas, the General Assembly wishes to express its deepest 26 sympathy to Keisha Kirkland’s family in the loss of this loving 27 wife, mother, daughter, and sister. To cherish her memory and 28 continue her legacy, Mrs. Kirkland leaves her beloved husband, 29 Levon Kirkland; daughter Kennedy Kirkland; her parents, Ennis 30 and Linda Tillman; a sister, Tori (Craig) Yeast; and a host of other 31 relatives and friends; and 32 33 Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and 34 excellence Keisha Kirkland bestowed on South Carolina, as well 35 as for her compassionate spirit toward those affected by lung 36 cancer, the General Assembly takes much pleasure in honoring her 37 great heart and life of sacrificial service. Now, therefore, 38 39 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 40 concurring: 41 42 That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this 43 resolution, remember and celebrate the life of Keisha Kirkland,

[4867] 2 1 former meteorologist for WYFFTV in Greenville and 2 philanthropic champion for lung cancer awareness. 3 XX 4

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