Joanne Kirkland

Joanne Kirkland, age 92, of Atascocita, TX passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024, in Austin, Tx. She was born in Van, Texas on January 31, 1932, to parents Chris and Ollie Lewis. Joanne graduated from Leverett’s Chapel High School, attended Kilgore Junior College where she was a Rangerette, and later in life, graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a bachelor’s degree in education. She loved teaching at Pine Tree ISD and at Longview ISD and never lost that love of education. Joanne was the devoted wife of a Baptist minister, James A. Kirkland, who loved the Lord and always sang in the church choir. She was the mother of four daughters, and she loved to sew, to garden and to cook for her family.

Joanne is preceded in death by her loving husband, James Kirkland, and by her parents. She is also preceded death by her siblings, Martell Lewis, Curtis Lewis, C.E. Lewis, Mildred McLane, Jean Suber, and by her beloved youngest sister, Nancy Roberts. Joanne left behind to mourn her passing her daughters, Jamie Streck (Kurt), Jena Crim, Ann Jerden (Kent), and Kelli Kirkland. Her grandchildren, Layla Milligan (Greg), Geoffrey Elzner, Maggie Hudson (Eric), Kate Smith, Ryan Jerden (Amanda), Lyndsey Matlock, Hayden Matlock and Hannah Streck. She also leaves to cherish her memories nine great-grandchildren Aleia Owens, Carter Hudson, Brooks Hudson, Knox Hudson, Mason Milligan, Benjamin Smith, Elliott Smith, Sloan Smith and Riley Jerden.

Joanne’s memorial service and a celebration of her life will be held on Saturday November 9th at the Kingwood Funeral Home in Kingwood, TX at 2 PM in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to the Hospice Austin’s Christoper House at hospiceaustin.org