Retha Jane Jones Kirkwood affectionally called Patty by her family was born February 26, 1947 to Jimmy Jones and Gertrude Burton in Shreveport, LA. She was called to glory on Wednesday morning, August 21, 2019 in Houston, TX. Retha accepted Christ for herself at an early age. While living in Shreveport, she was an active member of her family church Morning Star Baptist Church.
Retha always had an outgoing personality and strong-willed spirit which stayed with her all her days. She attended Mooretown Elementary, Bethune Junior High, and Bethune High School all in Shreveport. Retha graduated in 1965 where she was voted most popular by her schoolmates during her senior year. Upon finishing high school, she worked several jobs, but always had a passion for cooking and baking. She enjoyed hosting gatherings and being around her family and friends. In 1968, she moved to Houston, Texas to care for her mother and began a new journey.
On March 1, 1980, she married her beloved husband Joseph L. Kirkwood. They met while she was working as a parking attendant near a construction site he was working on. During the early years of their marriage and raising of the family they attended Christian Love Baptist Church on the north side of Houston, Texas. There, her love for Christ and people continued to shine. The Kirkwoods eventually relocated to the southwest side of Houston. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church became their new church family and has been her place of service and worship for over 25 years. Retha’s passion in the kitchen and professional career allowed her to work at Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Center in the nutirition department for many years, until her heath caused her to retire early.
Still here to cherish the love and memories she leaves are her husband, Joseph; her son Derrick and her daughter Natasha (James); brothers Leonard, Jackie (Faye), and Timothy (Alex); step-daughters Deardra (Clifton), Terry, Katenia, and step-son Greggs. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren Jeremiah ‘Jay’, Jael ‘Simone’, Charles ‘Trey’, James ‘L.B.’, and Corinthian ‘CC’; additional grands Delisa, Juanita, Greg, Xavier, and Alexis; great-grands Destiny, Damiun Jr., and Dakota. Retha was a social butterfly who had a special place in the lives of many! A host of cousins, aunts, uncles, church members, special loved ones, and family friends will miss her unique spirit and beautiful heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Reginald Dewayne Jones who was called to glory at an early age.
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