John Clifton "Pete" Kirkland, 71, passed away April 4, 2007 at his residence. Born in Northampton County, NC, he was a son of the late Clifton D. and Ilene Gay Kirkland, and was predeceased by a brother, Donald Ray Kirkland. Mr. Kirkland was a member of the Franklin Masonic Lodge #151 A. F. & A. M., a lifetime member of the NRA, a charter member of the Urquhart-Gillette Sons of Confederate Veterans and a former member of the Franklin Jaycees. He was retired from Union Camp Corporation with 40 years service. He was a member of Franklin Baptist Church for 46 years, a member of the Christian Men's Bible Class and the 39ers.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 50 years, Jean Harris Kirkland; two daughters, Pamela K. Neave and husband, Phil, of Ivor and Angela K. Faison and husband, Al Jr., of Franklin; two sisters, Linda Radford of Rocky Mount, NC and Betty Vaughan of Seaboard, NC; three grandchildren, Andrew K. Faison, John E. Neave, and Emma M. Neave, and a special cousin, Hilda K. Whelan of Seaboard, NC.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Franklin Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. A. Richard Childress and the Rev. Sharon James officiating. Interment, with Masonic Rites, will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Wright Funeral Home and suggest memorials be made to Franklin Baptist Church or Franklin Baptist Church Relay for Life Team, 208 N. High Street, Franklin, VA. 23851.