Keirra Monique Gillard was born March 22, 1992 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS to Teresa Rucker and Derron Hoskins. She was christened on March 31, 2012 at the Regional Medical Center of Memphis, TN. Keirra was a lifetime resident of Water Valley, MS. She attended Davidson Elementary during her primary years and she excelled in academics during her years at Water Valley High School where she graduated in 2010. She currently attended Itawamba Community College in Tupelo, MS majoring in Nursing. She dreamed of one day becoming a neonatal nurse. Keirra was a very outgoing and courageous young lady. She loved spending time with family and friends, especially her best friends Judy (aunt), Ebony and Chris. Some of her favorite activities included taking pictures and using her electronic gadgets. She departed this life on May 31, 2012 at the age of 20, at the Regional Medical Center of Memphis, TN.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 8, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the City Auditorium in Water Valley, MS with Rev. Lewis Vaughn officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Water Valley with Chris Dandridge, DeAnthony Smith, Labon Gillard, Jerome Bounds, DeMargio Gillard and Shaquille “DaMartae” Gillard serving as pallbearers. Ernest Bounds, McKinzley Bounds, DaMaro Bounds and McKendrick Bounds will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Keirra leaves to cherish beautiful memories, her parents, Teresa and Kenya Rucker and her father Derron Hoskins all of Water Valley, MS; two sisters, Lakendra Rucker of Water Valley, MS and Kaleshia Gaston of Oxford, MS; two brothers, DeMargio Gillard of Water Valley, MS and Keenan Turner of Abbeville, MS; two grandmothers, Linda Haywood of Pontotoc, MS and Debra Bounds of Water Valley, MS; two grandfathers, McKinzley Bounds and Willie Ike Harris both of Water Valley, MS; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, two nephews and friends.