Obituary of Mary T P Kirkland

Mary Perry Kirkland was born on Wednesday, September 8, 1925 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to the late Robert Lee Perry and Essie Marie Hodges. She confessed her love of Christ at the age of 11, and became an active member of First Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend S.L.A. Jones. She participated in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, and the choir. Mary, the scholar, graduated high school as valedictorian, then she attended Alcorn State University. At her beloved Alcorn she played basketball, earned good grades, and worked on campus. Seeking service and sisterhood, she was among the first 13 women to be initiated into the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in fall of 1949. In 1950 Mary earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics, and upon graduating, she pursued a career as an educator. During her work study assignment at Alcorn, Mary met a young man named Cleveland who would become her dance partner. They won dance competitions together, and their courtship blossomed into love. On May 9, 1949 Mary and Cleveland united in Holy Matrimony. Through this union, they became the proud parents of 4 children: Myra, Cleveland Jr. "Bo", Gregory Sr., and Alva Maria. Mary taught high school Home Economics for six years in Mississippi, and through family correspondence she learned of new opportunities in the North. Joining the wave of the The Great Migration, in June of 1956 Mary relocated their family to Buffalo, New York. Initially she was denied full time teaching jobs in New York, but she prayed and remained steadfast in her pursuit. Mary continued her education while working domestic jobs, and in 1961 she earned a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Buffalo State University. She went on to teach in New York State for almost 30 years, and she was affiliated with the Niagara Falls Federation of Teachers, and New York State United Teachers. In honor of her excellence, in 1970 she was the first African American to be awarded Teacher of the Year by the Niagara Falls school district. In Buffalo, Mary lived in a thriving community surrounded by family and friends. Her group of girlfriends would rotate to different homes for Friday night dinner and dance parties. Mary was known for her delicious cooking and kept her recipes close to her heart. Following the lead of other local family, she committed her membership at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Lackawanna, NY under the leadership of Pastor T.C. Watson. Additionally, she sent the children to attend Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Walls Memorial AME Zion Church. Mary deeply believed in the value of education, and sent all of her children off to college. Retirement allowed Mary to relocate to Baltimore, Maryland in 1987. She spent her retirement years investing in the next generation as a caregiver to her many grandchildren and the children of family friends. She joined Ray of Hope Baptist Church and later became a proud member of Faith Baptist Church. At Faith, Mary was active in Sunday School and the Golden Age Committee, where she expanded her friendships in service of Christ. Mary had a flock who looked forward to her sweet potato pies during the annual Golden Age Bazaar. Over the years she traveled to family reunions and homecomings, including her return to Alcorn in the year 2000 to receive her 50th Anniversary Golden Diploma. Mary was blessed to live well into her 90s, and in her later years she enjoyed completing puzzles, phone calls with her friends, and visits from her grandchildren and great grands. On Sundays after church, she avidly supported her Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. As a woman born just before the Great Depression who lived through the Civil Rights Era, she was abundantly proud to vote for President Barack Obama twice, and she kept a scrapbook with clips from his career. Mary loved to laugh, tell jokes, gossip, and she always offered an encouraging word. Mary was preceded in death by her brother James Grace, husband Cleveland Kirkland Sr., son Gregory Kirkland Sr., and many dear friends. She leaves to cherish her memories: her son Cleveland "Bo" (Elaine) Kirkland Jr.; daughters Myra (Gregory) Kindle and Alva Maria (Verloyd) Irving; daughters-in-love Sharon (Richard) McGruder, Judy Kirkland, and Pam Kane; grandchildren Karim Kirkland, Charese Kirkland, LaShel (Carl) Sumter, Justin Kirkland, Amber (MJ) Jackson, Camiel Irving, Brian Irving, Gregory Kirkland Jr., and Melissa (Perry) Pope; an array of great grandchildren who brought her joy and pride everyday; brothers-in-love Alsie (Thelma) Kirkland, sisters-in-love Clara Raine, Barbara Butler, Yvonne (John) Langdon, Glennie Kirkland, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives, sorors, and friends.