A celebration of life will be held for Mary Belle Taylor Kirkland Holstead on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. Visitation with the family will be held in the sanctuary from 10:00 a.m. until time of the funeral. There will be a private family burial. The service will be officiated by Reverend Jerry Hilbun and Reverend Juliet Spencer and is under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.Mary Belle was born on August 25, 1924 in Arcadia, Louisiana to Esther Belle Mosely Taylor and George Curtis Taylor. She passed away at her home in Ruston on Monday, September 5, 2016. Mary Belle grew up in Arcadia and attended Arcadia High School where she was a cheerleader.In 1943, she left Louisiana Tech to marry Neill Smith Kirkland, the curly headed dentist that she loved. They settled in Ruston and together they had two children, MaryBelle and Neill Smith Kirkland, Jr. Mary Belle helped in the dental office as an assistant when needed and kept the financial records for Tooth Acres their cattle farming business. Mary Belle become a real estate agent in 1975 and was active in her profession until her early 80. Selling houses was just another way for her to help people, which she did in so many caring and thoughtful ways throughout her life.Following the unexpected death of Neill in 1977, she married John Burnham Holstead (JB) in 1978; and they enjoyed ten adventurous years together before his death. When Mary Belle married JB she welcomed his two children, John Burnham Holstead, III and Carol Holstead VanHook as her own.She was a life-long Methodist and joined Trinity United Methodist Church in 1947 where she served as a Sunday School teacher, on the Board of Trustees, and was active in the United Methodist Women. She participated in four Methodist missions to Alaska and shared that experience with family members.Being active and making positive contributions within her community was important to her. She always found ways to serve. She was a Kappa Delta, serving on the Alpha Chi Chapter Alumni Advisory Board. She was a member of P.E.O. (a Philanthropic Educational Organization) and in 1972 was one of five women who helped organize Chapter AO in Ruston. During the last 44 years she has served in every officer position and as president several timesShe was a Girl Scout Leader and President of the Ruston Girl Scout Council in 1959. She served on the Ruston Centennial Committee, the Ruston Beautification Council, was a member and Regent of Long Leaf Pine Chapter of DAR, Colonial Dames, Culture Guild, and the Garden Study Club. She continued to hold multiple leadership roles in these organizations until her mid-eighties. She was also a 25 year breast cancer survivor and was always active in the American Cancer Society and cancer recovery groups.Mary Belle loved her family and being involved in the lives and activities of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was Memama to her family and never missed a chance to give hugs, kisses, and words of support or to bake everyone favorite Red Velvet cake, sugar cookies, or MuffMuff (Banana Bread Muffins) to show her love.Mary Belle had a true zeal for life. She enjoyed playing tennis, boating on Lake DArbonne, riding on the back of Neill motor cycle, and shooting accurately at clay pigeons or an unwanted snake. She loved digging in the dirt and making beautiful arrangements to share from the flowers she grew. Her award winning garden and flowers were always a joy. Dancing was always a passion and she danced around the house saying she could just dance through life. She loved to travel seeing new places and meeting interesting people. She traveled through all of the 50 Unites States, Canada, and Mexico with Neill and traveled internationally with JB to China and Europe. Mary Belle excitement and love of life was contagious.Mary Belle is survived by her children and their spouses: Mary Belle and Allen Tuten; Neill and Barbara Kirkland, all of Ruston; John and Marilyn Holstead of Houston, Texas; and Carol and James VanHook of Ft. Worth, Texas. Nine grandchildren and their spouses: Maribel Tuten Childress (Dan); Maradith Tuten Boone (Ryan); Robert Neill Kirkland (Amy); Jon Kirkland (Pam); Will Holstead; Rand Holstead (Lindsay); Scott Holstead (Jill); Laura VanHook Spann ( Jeremy); John VanHook (JiYoung). Eighteen great-grandchildren: Mary Christine, Christian, Jon, and Aaron Childress; Caroline, Ella, and Hattie Boone; Joey and Elise Kirkland; Reid and Annabelle Kirkland; Mia and Randall Holstead; Tommy and Jean Holstead; Maggie Stuckey; and James and Sonia VanHook. She is also survived by a sister, Betty Taylor Farr, and numerous nieces and nephews.Mary Belle is preceded in death by her parents, Esther Belle and George Curtis Taylor; husbands: Neill Smith Kirkland and John Burnham Holstead; and brother, Jack Taylor.The family wishes to thank Professional Hospice Care for their guidance, knowledge, and service; and Cynthia Holloway, Ruthie Dade, Sharon Lewis, Linda Patton, Pam Kennedy, Deandria Williams, Kiera Wise, Margaret Williams and Marcus Stringfellow for their loving, attentive care during the last years and months of Mrs. Holstead life.Pallbearers honoring Mary Belle with their service are Joey Kirkland, Christian Childress, Doug Farr, Mike Taylor, Jim Tuten, and Ronald Lawrence.Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, a charity of your choice, or offer an act of kindness in her memory.Online condolences may be made to the family @ www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.