Born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Louis Simon, Mary Kirkland was raised in the State of Mississippi. She received her primary education in the public schools of Jefferson County and received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Jackson State University. Her additional educational study was at Delta State University, California State University at Dominguez Hills and Pepperdine University. Her career in education has spanned more than 30 years.

Mrs. Kirkland is the spouse to Bishop Larry T. Kirkland, the 114th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She has served the AMEC at all levels, particularly the Women’s Missionary Society. Furthermore, she has served as a member of the New Members Institute where she taught new members what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. She is extremely proud of the development and organization of the WMS at Brookins Community AMEC in Los Angeles, CA. There the Society grew from a membership of zero to become a viable part of the Fifth Episcopal District. Her most rewarding and challenging endeavor was inspiring young women under the age of forty to use their talents and gifts for the uplifting and building of the Kingdom of God.

Under former California Governor, Gray Davis, Mrs. Kirkland was appointed to the state Commission on Education. Whether in Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Central Africa or Alabama, Bishop and Mrs. Kirkland have been a powerful team in spreading the gospel.

Mrs. Kirkland is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.