“Love on your love ones, because you never know the last time you’ll see them. Wildman, we miss you my dawg,” one man said. Friday a sea of blue, white and black balloons were seen as the friends, family and loved ones of Earvin “Wildman” Kirkwood, Jr. gathered in Weir to commemorate Kirkwood’s life.
There was a prayer by Robert “Bo” Miller and a song by the Dynamic Jewels. Those in attendance shared stories and tears as they comforted each other.
Many that spoke showed their love to the Kirkwood family, there were those in attendance who had also lost loved ones in the same manner as Kirkwood’s death, and showed their love and support
Vickie Dotson-Hubbert encouraged those in attendance to love one another, put aside differences and to get right with the Lord.
“Wildman touched a lot of hearts, a lot of good things were said about him on Facebook. And that’s the way we should remember him. One thing I can tell you, everybody has a way of showing love and Wildman showed love. This death, I know it seems tragic, but in the world we’re living in now, it’s happening all over the world. Learn to love one another. If you have issues against one another, get it right,” Hubbert said. “ Love on each other, tell them that you love them. Tell them that you care. And sometimes we have to learn to love from a distance such as “How you doing?”I just want to encourage anybody to look to the hills from which cometh our help, our help comes from the Lord. If you don’t know the Lord, now is a good time. Because we’re not promised the next day, next second, next hour. Wildman never remembered my name, but he always said “Hey, how you doing?” I would always say “Good how you doing?”
Which Dotson said in turn, Kirkwood would ask to do an odd job for a “few dollars.”
“I don’t care where he was on that bike, everyone knew Wildman. This is tragic, this is very tragic. But y’all learn to love, as he did, which is to show love to one another.”
She also encouraged those in the crowd to give what they could towards Kirkwood’s funeral. “You’re showing your love tonight, let’s show our love in finances.”
Since Friday, January 31, the family members of Kirkwood have been searching for him and on Tuesday, Feb. 4, the search came to an end.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the body of Earvin “Wildman” Kirkwood, Jr., 67, was found behind his home in western Clay County on Tuesday, February 4. Kirkwood died from multiple stab wounds.
Asenyon Walker, 15, has been charged with murder by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department in connection with the death of Kirkwood. Walker is Kirkwood’s great-nephew. News outlets state that the teen’s role in Kirkwood’s death is unknown and that a drone had to be used to find Kirkwood’s body.
Many in the community took to Facebook to express their love for “Wildman”. He went by a few nicknames but no matter what you knew him, one of the biggest sentiments was that Kirkwood didn’t deserve the way he died.
There were videos shared of him, stories, laughs, and many tears. Kirkwood was a good man who wouldn’t hurt people, he wanted to help those he came in contact with however he could. Even if it was for a “few dollars” or something to eat. He always wore a smile, most days you saw him out and about. Kirkwood was the life of the party and if you were in his presence, you were known to get a good laugh from his many stories.
Many in the community are baffled by the way Kirkwood’s life ended – in murder.
“He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” many people stated on Facebook. Family, friends, community members, and anyone who came in contact with “Wildman” stated the same about him.
A candlelight vigil was held in Weir on Friday, Feb. 7 to honor Kirkwood’s life.
Kirkwood, who lived on Highway 46 with a relative in Clay County, was last seen on Pheba-Beasley Road on Friday, January 31.
Kirkwood’s arrangements are incomplete but have been entrusted to Beck Funeral Home in Weir. After Hubbert’s encouraging words, those in attendance released balloons, while “Gangsta Lean (This is for my homies)” by DRS played as many hugged and wiped away tears.
Scott said in the release that the case is being treated as a homicide and his body has been sent off to the Mississippi Crime Lab for an autopsy.
Walker remains in the Clay County Jail without a bond set. Kirkwood’s death is being investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and investigators with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott stated that the investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 662-494-2896, Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151 or the Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers P3 App.
