BLACKSHEAR — 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.
Mrs. Kirkland was a native of Pierce County. She 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. Mrs. Kirkland was also preceded in death by two 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. Mrs. Kirkland started her career as a teller with the First National Bank, which later became Suntrust Bank in the same location on Tebeau Street in Waycross, and retired as head teller in 1988 after 30 years of service.
Mrs. Kirkland 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) of Vero Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren, Michael Callahan (wife Christine) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Wesley Callahan of Jupiter, Fla., Wendy K. James (husband Brian) of Blackshear, Samantha K. Toler (husband Jimmy) of Douglas Wyo., Tiffany K. Bowers (husband Chris) of Waycross, and Duncan Carroll Kirkland III (wife Kayla) of Waycross; seven great-grandchildren, Autumn Toler, Gryphon Toler and Harrison James, all of Blackshear, Mason James (wife Lacey) of Brunswick, Wesley James Callahan of Jupiter, Fla., Everett Bowers and Gabriel Bjorn Kirkland, both of Waycross; a sister, Shirley Bennett (the late Phil) of Mershon; three brothers, David Bowen (wife Loretta) of Jesup, Buddy Bowen (wife Wanda) of Blackshear, and Danny Bowen (wife Diane) of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Mrs. Doris B. Kirkland.
A funeral service was held Monday, December 19 in First United Methodist Church of Blackshear.
Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery in Waycross.
Sympathy can be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
