Edward Kirkland: A Life of Service and Dedication

Edward Kirkland, a 31-year employee of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of service, family, and community dedication. Born in Kite, Georgia, Ed moved to Atlanta, where he spent his career as a printer and was an active member of the Atlanta Typographical Union Local #48. Ed's life was marked by his commitment to his faith, his family, and his community, and he will be remembered for his selfless acts of service and kindness.

Key Takeaways:

• Ed Kirkland spent 31 years working as a printer at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, where he was an active member of the Atlanta Typographical Union Local #48.
• He graduated from Kite High School and the Southern School of Printing in Nashville, Tennessee, where he met and married his wife, Shirley, with whom he had two children and celebrated 64 years of marriage.
• Ed and Shirley were longtime members of First Baptist Church, Blairsville, GA, where Ed served as a deacon and was involved in various community service projects, including the Mission Team, woodcutting team, and the Feed the Hungry program.
• Ed was a veteran of the US Army, where he served at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, and later spoke about the transformative experience that helped him become a man.
• Ed is survived by his wife, Shirley; two children; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several siblings, including Kerald Kight, Linda Farrow, and Charles Kight.
• Services were held at Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home, Blairsville Chapel, and burial took place at Meadowview Cemetery, with Rev. Ricky Powell officiating.
• The family requests donations to the First Baptist Church of Blairsville, Beacon Mission Team, or Appalachian Hospice in Ed's memory.

Sources:

• The original obituary, uploaded to a memorial tribute website
• The Atlanta Journal Constitution, referenced as Ed's former employer