Maudie Geneva Kirkland

Graveside services for Maudie Geneva Kirkland, 81, of Lufkin, will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 12:00 Noon at Baker-Lain Cemetery in Cleburne with Bro. Ty Phillips officiating.

 Maudie Geneva Kirkland was born on July 10, 1943, in Oletha, Texas, to the late Cora Vickery and Joseph O’Pry. She went to be with the Lord and her loving husband of 57 years, Byron Kirkland, on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

 Together they raised 5 children and had many business ventures and escapades such as a live catfish market. She could clean a catfish better than most men and had quite a “rock” during those years. She loved playing bingo and won quite frequently, working jigsaw puzzles to use them as wallpaper, her grandchildren, the color purple and butterflies. She was a loving mother, grandmother, “nanny” to most, granny to some, aunt and sister. She was the fiercest prayer warrior and the keeper of the peace. To know her was to love her. She never wanted to ruin anyone’s day and it was obvious when she asked not to let her die on 9/28/24 which was her 2 granddaughters in laws Maxine Bailey and Mindy Paulson and her ex-son in law Daniel Choate’s birthdays.

 She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses, Deborah Kirkland and Russ of Huntsville, TX, Tammy Rider and Kelly of Lufkin, Byron Kirkland, Jr. and Lawan of Gilmer, TX, Joseph Kirkland and Cyndi of Harlingen, TX, and Marsha Leonard and David of Lufkin; 37 grandchildren including their spouses, with the newest being Alexis and Matthew Russell who were married on October 4th which in turn gave her another great-grandson Jacob; 24 great -grandchildren, including the one above and Maci, Madi, Stetson, Oakley, Mason, Lincoln, TJ, Joey, Abby, Aubrey, Peyton and Randy live locally and were her saving grace when she lost the love of her life. She has adopted all of her brothers’ grandkids as well or should I say they adopted each other, and they call her granny as well. Her bonus daughters, Becky White of Abilene and her 3 children and 4 grandchildren and Bobbie Boyd of Corrigan, TX and her 5 children and several grandchildren. Her previous sons-in-law, Bryan Paulson and Dawn of Etoile, TX and Daniel Choate and Angie of Lufkin; She will forever be missed and loved deeply.

 She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 57 years, Byron Burton Kirkland Sr.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alice Ann and ET Kirkland and Ann Kirkland; nephews and all of her brothers and sisters except for Leonard O’Pry and wife Lois of Alvarado, and Geraldine Martin of Ft. Worth, TX.

 Pallbearers will be Stephanie Bailey, Jacob Bailey, Dustin Paulson, David Isham, Ryan Kirkland, and Zane Choate.

 Honorary pallbearers will be Mason Kirkland, T.J. Ramirez, Stetson Paulson, and Oakley Bailey.

 Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin.

 A second visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Baker-Lain Cemetery, prior to the graveside service.

 Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.