Doris Bowen Kirkland, 96, died Wednesday evening, December 14, 2022, surrounded by loving family members at Harborview Health Systems in Blackshear following an extended illness.
She was a native of Pierce County, and had lived most of her life in Ware County prior to making her home in the Garden View Retirement Assisted Living for the past four and a half years. She was the wife of the late Duncan Carroll (D.C.) Kirkland Sr. and daughter of the late James Madison Bowen and Cora Iris Jacobs Bowen. She was also preceded in death by sons, Richard Glynn Kirkland and Duncan Carroll Kirkland Jr.; a sister, Nellie Bowen and a brother, the Rev. J.D. Bowen.
She was a graduate of Blackshear High School. She started her career as a teller with the First National Bank which later became Suntrust Bank in the same location on Tebeau St. in Waycross and retired as head teller in 1988 after 30 years of service. She was a member of the former Crawford Street Baptist Church and had been attending the First United Methodist Church of Blackshear with her granddaughter. She also had been a member of the former Okefenokee Garden Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Deborah K. Callahan (husband Mike), Vero Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Michael Callahan (wife Christine), Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Wesley Callahan, Jupiter, FL, Wendy K. James (husband Brian), Blackshear, Samantha K. Toler (husband Jimmy), Douglas WY, Tiffany K. Bowers (husband Chris), Waycross and Duncan Carroll Kirkland III (wife Kayla), Waycross; seven great-grandchildren, Autumn Toler, Gryphon Toler, Harrison James, all of Blackshear, Mason James (wife Lacey), Brunswick, Wesley James Callahan, Jupiter, FL, Everett Bowers and Gabriel Bjorn Kirkland, both of Waycross; a sister Shirley Bennett (the late Phil), Mershon; three brothers, David Bowen (wife Loretta), Jesup, Buddy Bowen (wife Wanda), Blackshear and Danny Bowen (wife Diane), Fernandina Beach, FL and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the First United Methodist Church, 225 Church St., Blackshear.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19 from the First United Methodist Church, 225 Church St., Blackshear.
Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery in Waycross.
Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity in her memory.
Sympathy can be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.
