Kierra Grace Huntley was born on May 4, 2005, to John R. Huntley Jr. and Kimberly K. Huntley, and she was sent to Heaven as a hero on July 29, 2023. She enjoyed hunting, archery, gardening, caring for animals, and appreciating the outdoors. Kierra’s legacy is a life of service to others and to the Lord, graciously embracing all she did with her infectious smile. Nowhere in life was this more apparent than when she was with her dog Lacey, her best friend and inseparable companion, earning her title as “dog mom to the goodest of girls”. Kierra is cherished by all for her Christlike attentiveness to the needs of others.
Kierra is a 2023 graduate and co-salutatorian of Abundant Life Christian Academy with a 4.11 GPA, a distinction she shares with her close friend Ashlyn Shelley.
She was formally accepted to Southern Arkansas University, receiving over $58,000 in scholarships, including the Presidential Distinguished Scholarship and the Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarship. Kierra is a 2023 recipient of the Ethics Award presented by the Sherwood Rotary Club.
Central to her love of the outdoors is Kierra’s passion for organic farming, which can be seen through her work at Caught Lookin’ Farms under Laura Winning.
There she helped establish the Butterfly Garden, a project to attract and nourish monarch caterpillars by planting native milkweed among other flowering plants in a uniquely shaped plot. Her office at the farm was the greenhouse, where Kierra nursed a variety of crops from seed to maturity, using skills she picked up working in her Grampy’s garden from a young age.
Kierra was preceded in death by her Great Grandmother, Esther “Big Grandma” Smith; Grandmother, “Mamaw” Janet Ellis; Great Grandmother, Charlotte Hunt-ley; Grandmother, Joanne “Nana” Huntley; Aunt, Melissa Huntley; and Grandfa-ther, “Papaw” David Cross. She leaves behind her Father, John R. Huntley Jr. of Jacksonville; Mother, Kimberly K. Huntley of North Little Rock; Sister, Lauren Huntley Melendez of Conway (Juan); Grandfather, John R. “Grampy” Huntley Sr. of Jacksonville; Grandmother, Elva “Mamaw Biz” Cross of Paragould; Cousin, Krystal Huntley of Jacksonville, who Kierra considered to be like a second older sister; and too many other family members and close friends to list.
Kierra’s Life Verse: Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Her life was defined by: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
A visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 3:00pm with a memorial service starting at 4:00pm at The Ridge Assembly; 8013 Jacksonville-Cato Road, Sherwood, Arkansas 72120.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
9 Comments
Heaven gained an Angel! Kierra will be missed for sure. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
God blessed me and I got to know Kierra in this life. Lovely and smart with her heart set on Jesus. She was heroic in how she lived this life. God walk with John Jr, John Sr, Lauren and Juan, comfort them and surround them with peace. Love
my condolences to John and family. she will be missed
My heart breaks for you all in the loss of this beautiful, talented young woman. It is so reassuring to read though that she knew the Lord and served Him faithfully, and praise God she is now in His presence rejoicing! Please take comfort knowing one day you will see her again, and that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many people.
I remember her being so little, walking down the isle as the flower girl in my wedding. I wish we would have been closer as she got older, but that’s life I guess. I will cherish the wonderful memories I did get to have with her. She grew up to be such an amazing young woman. My thoughts and prayers are with all our family and friends during this difficult time. She is so deeply missed, but we will see her again.
Kierra is so missed. She was special to us always with her beautiful smile and willingness to serve others. She was an exceptional young woman. May God surround her family with love and support and the peace that passes all understanding.
My prayers are with you John and your family. May God love surround you and strengthen you during this time.
Kierra was beautiful inside and our. I forever cherish our long, deep, and meaningful conversations. I consider her to be a close friend. Heaven gained an angel. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family through this tough time. To know Kierra was to love her, and I am forever grateful to have known her as well as I did.
Very sad and praying for you and your family my friend.
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