Doris Kirkland, 86, of Culver passed away at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at Miller’s Merry Manor of Culver.

On May 7, 1931, Doris Whiddon was born in Covington County, Alabama. She was a treasured daughter of  esse and Emma Lee Pate Whiddon. Growing up she shared her childhood with four sisters.

In Columbus, Georgia, Doris and Robert B. Kirkland Jr. were married on April 17, 1948.  They shared 65 years of life’s adventures.  From their union came three wonderful children Nancy, Robin and Leslie.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.

A devoted member of the Culver Bible Church, Kirkland attended the Riverview Baptist in Riverview, Florida where she and Bob moved to for 32 years beginning in 1978. Prior to this, Kirkland drove the school bus for Culver Community Schools for several years.

As  adventurers Bob and Doris traveled extensively all over the United States in their motorhome.  They also enjoyed two cruises. To relax, Kirkland was an avid reader. She read all types of genre. Part of her daily routine was reading the daily paper out loud.

As the matriarch overseeing four  generations, Grandma Kirkland was at home in her kitchen command post. She looked forward to hosting family celebrations and the holidays when everyone gathered. Growing up in the south, she acquired the skills and style of a wonderful southern cook creating warm banana pudding baked with a meringue topping.  Cornbread dressing was always plentiful at the holidays. She is remembered for her homemade hushpuppies when the family hosted a fresh fish fry. 

Left to cherish Kirkland’s memory are  two daughters Nancy Cannon and husband Charles of Leiters Ford;  Robin Minix and husband Mark of Kewanna; a son Leslie Kirkland, of Winamac; 17 grandchildren 34 great grandchildren; a sister, Frances Parker, of Columbus, GA and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Kirkland in death are her parents, beloved husband Robert on Jan. 7, 2013, son Bobby Kirkland in 2001, daughter-in-law Shari Kirkland in 2012, great-granddaughter Elsie Ringer, four sisters: Helen, Bettie Ruth ”Bebe”, Shirley and infant Madie.

A celebration of the life of Kirkland will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Dan Huhn will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from  5-7 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Leiters Ford Cemetery.  Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Miller’s Merry Manor, Culver,  activity fund.