Jacqueline (Jackie) Rowntree Kirkland

Jacqueline Hope Rowntree Kirkland of Hahira peacefully went to be with the Lord at her home on Tuesday. Her parents were the late George Turner and Minnie Webb Rowntree. She lived in the old Rowntree schoolhouse and attended Hahira High School where she played basketball, ran track and was president of the Senior class of 1942. Some of her favorite past times were fishing, gardening and sewing. She also enjoyed playing the piano and started at age 15. She played for Shiloh Methodist, King's Chapel and Orange Grove where they had service once a month. Jackie began playing at Bethany Baptist Church after her marriage to Matthew W. Kirkland on March 9, 1946.
Jackie was very active in the 4-H club being a member in her high school days and then a volunteer leader for more than 40 years. She loved helping young people with their project work and her own five children were active members of the club. She was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and twice selected as Lowndes County Homemaker of the Year. She was later honored with the Master 4-H Member status because of her many years of volunteer work.
One of her lasting contributions was an assignment to name the roads in the area where she lived. This project sent her into the homes of long time residents of the community to find the history of people living on the roads. She also met with the Lowndes County Commissioners and the Cook County Board to approve the name she came up with for the road connecting Valdosta and Adel. They all agreed to her choice and the road is still called Val Del Road.
Jackie was reared in the old Rowntree School and her mom was a teacher there. She developed a love for education at an early age. Jackie later became a substitute teacher in Hahira and taught for over thirty years. "It's an education within itself," she said. "I am sure that I have learned more in substituting than most teachers learn going to college because I have taught so many levels from kindergarten to high school." It was her love for kids that kept Jackie there almost five days a week each year.
When her five children were growing up she was constantly busy. Jackie made clothes for herself and her girls. Their family kept two freezers that were filled with vegetables from the garden they planted each summer. Working together as a family taught the children to take pride in what they did and never give up. She and the late M. W. Kirkland had their family in church every Sunday and Wednesday night constantly training them to live a life for God. Jackie's life has always been one of sharing, whether it was something fresh baked or a plant from the yard.
Jackie is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Darrell and Darlene Kirkland of Hahira, George and Lenda Kirkland of Moultrie, two daughters and sons in law, Katrina and Andy Fletcher and Mary and Danny Burns of Hahira, one brother and sister in law, Hardy and Gwen Rowntree, twelve grandchildren, Matthew Kirkland (Julianne), Melody Bohn (Phil), Deanna Pham (Chris), Paul Kirkland, Kristi Sutton, Karrie Hollis (David), Kyle Kirkland, Kris Fletcher, Kirk Fletcher, Ashley Burns, Lori Burns and Ben Burns, six great grandchildren, Ashley Sutton, Shane Sutton, Vy Pham, Adam Pham, Campbell Kirkland and Jack Kirkland. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Matthew W. Kirkland, her son, Matthew Wayne Kirkland and her brother, James T. Rowntree.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 16, 2011 at eleven a. m. at Bethany Baptist Church with Dr. Clyde Stokes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from six until eight p. m. Friday at the Martin McLane Funeral Home in Hahira. In lieu of flowers feel free to contribute to the charity of your choice or to Bethany Baptist Church. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Martin McLane Funeral Home, Hahira, GA


Funeral Home:
Martin/McLane Funeral Home
401 S. Church Street
Hahira, GA
US 31632