Funeral services for Mr. James William Kirkland will be on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at Brookhaven Funeral Home (894 Natchez Drive) in Brookhaven, MS, at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow in the New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in McCall Creek, MS. Dr. Dale Smith and Bro. Emory May will be officiating the services with Brookhaven Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be on the same day from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Kirkland, 87, of McCall Creek, MS, passed from this life on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Forest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. He was born on May 7, 1933, in Wallace Ridge, LA, to Henry Bethard Kirkland and Maxine Whatley Kirkland. He was a member of McCall Creek Baptist Church; worked as a lineman with Southwestern Bell in Texas, retiring after 35 years; and enjoyed hunting, fishing, welding and working on various handy-man projects. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife, Jenell Boudreaux Kirkland; second wife, Theda Buckels Kirkland; brothers, Henry B. Kirkland Jr., Tyler L. Kirkland and Julius Glynn Kirkland; and sister, Nancy Sue Kirkland.

Survivors are his daughter, Donna K. Woods and husband Gary of Hattiesburg, MS; stepchildren, Cheryl Jordan and husband Joe, Willie Buckels and wife Nancy, Ricky Buckels and wife Debbie, and Joey Buckels and wife Renae; brother, Wayne Kirkland; sister, Evelyn T. Halfin; 11 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Brookdale Retirement Community and Hattiesburg Health & Rehab for their loving care in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and to Gideon’s International.

To share condolences please visit www.brookhavenfuneralhome.net.