Mattie Lillian Kirkman

Mrs. Mattie Lillian Moon Kirkman, 99, of Dalton, died Tuesday March 27, 2012 at Regency Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dalton Georgia.
Mrs. Kirkman was born March 12, 1913 near Harper’s Crossroads, N.C. at her grandfather’s home on Devil’s Tramping Ground Road. Throughout her life she was devoted first to her husband of 72 years, Everette Lee Kirkman who died in 2003, her children and her church. Although raised in the Tyson Creek Baptist Church, Lillian worshipped as a Methodist after she married. She and Everette were members of Methodist churches in Burlington, N.C; Galax, Va; Cartersville, Ga. and Dalton. During her younger years she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was active in the Women’s Society of Christian Service. Very few services or events were held at the Methodist church without Lillian and Everette in attendance.
For many years she focused solely on the family. The family ate together every night, enjoying her home cooked meals featuring a variety of vegetables and one of her famous desserts. After the children were in school, she helped Everette at the Belk store, where he was manager, as a part time bookkeeper.
Following Everette’s retirement, she enjoyed traveling to locations throughout the U.S.A., but her favorite spots were the mountains of the West: the Rockies and the Grand Tetons, and the mountains of western North Carolina. She loved the mountains.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Lowell and Lou Kirkman of Dalton and Duane and Betti Kirkman of Hickory, NC; six grandchildren, Douglas Kirkman of London, UK; Nathan Kirkman of Atlanta, GA; Laura Kirkman Pelzer of Charleston, SC; Will Kirkman of Arlington, VA; Katie Wilson Tatum of Dalton and Lindsay Wilson Wimberly of Atlanta, GA; and seven great grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at 2:30 P.M. in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Dalton with the Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating.
Burial will be in Whitfield Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends in the atrium of the church Wednesday from 1 P.M. until the service at 2:30 P.M.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church Permanent Endowment Fund, 500 S. Thornton Ave., Dalton, Ga. 30720.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave. Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.