Joseph Carlton Kirkland

Mr. Joseph “Carlton” Kirkland, age 90, of Lyons, died Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia after a brief illness. He was a native of Evans County, growing up in Hagan and Bryan County before moving to Toombs County in the late 1950s. He worked in pulpwood; he was a logger and truck driver. He was a charter member of Reedy Creek Full Gospel Church. He partially donated the land for the church and church cemetery, and he was active in the construction of the church. Earlier in his life, he enjoyed dirt track racing and at one time owned three racecars. He enjoyed fishing, camping, riding his golf cart, and raising chickens, goats, and cows.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Annette Lindsay Kirkland; stepson, Tracey Burton; great-grandson, Dallas Kirkland; parents, Elijah Ferrell Kirkland and Lalia Sapp Kirkland; and three siblings, J.W. Kirkland, Annalee Kirkland Webber, and Jean Kirkland.

Mr. Kirkland is survived by four children, Jan K. Griffin and husband Murray of Savannah, Jimmy Moser of Claxton, Dr. Joseph Carlton “Joey” Kirkland, Jr. of Savannah, and Joyce “Ann” Kirkland Leggett and fiancé Tommy Williams of Lyons; three stepsons, Greg Wilt and wife Tina of Lyons, Daniel Wilt and fiancé Annette Cobb of Reidsville, and Dewayne Burton and wife Sharon of Lyons; one stepdaughter, Gidget Rewis Cox of Peking, Illinois; one brother, Danny Kirkland of Florida; twenty-three grandchildren, forty-four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 12:00 noon in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor John Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in Reedy Creek Full Gospel Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service.

Pallbearers are Memphis Soles, Johnny Hill, Brian Kirkland, Derek Mosley, Jordan Mosley, and James Fussell.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial donations suggested to Reedy Creek Full Gospel Church, 142 Lindsay Lane, Lyons, GA 30436.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.     

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