Doris Kirkland, 86, of Culver passed away at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Millers Merry Manor of Culver.

On May 7, 1931, Doris Whiddon was born in Covington County, Alabama.  She was a treasured daughter of  Jesse 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 four wonderful children:  Nancy, Robin, Bobby and Leslie. The family tree continued  tor grow with the added blessings of two more generations.

A devoted member of the Culver Bible Church, Doris attended the Riverview Baptist in Riverview, Florida where she a Bob moved to for 32 years beginning in 1978. Prior to this Doris 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 motor home.  They also enjoyed two cruises.  To relax Doris 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 Doris 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.  Corn bread dressing was always plentiful at the holidays.  She is remembered for her home made hushpuppies when the family hosted a fresh fish fry.

Left to cherish Doris' 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 Doris in death are her parents, beloved husband Robert on January 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 Doris Kirkland will be at 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 28, 2017   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 PM on Thursday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Leiters Ford Cemetery.