James Bratton Kirkland Obituary
James Bratton Kirkland, age 84, of Swansea, South Carolina passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was born in Aiken, South Carolina on April 14th, 1939 to the late Ansel Brown Kirkland and Gladys Thelma Wilson.
James was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and spent most of his life working in public education. He was a Gamecock through and through. He served as an educator and administrator across both South Carolina and Georgia. He loved teaching mathematics and helping to keep his students on the right track. His biggest love in life was people. He spent most of his life talking to others and encouraging them in any way he could. He would make friends with anyone who would talk with him and would learn everything there was to know about them. He always saw the good in others and did everything he could to bring out that good in them. He touched so many people in his 84 years from his students to his healthcare professionals. He loved his family, his friends, and his community.
He is survived by his children, Jay B. Kirkland, Linda Dee Franz (Leo), and Bradley Kirkland (Alison); the mother of his children, Linda Kirkland; his grandchildren, Addison Franz, Madeline Franz, Jadon Kirkland, Emma Kate Kirkland, Emelia Kirkland, Sofia Kirkland, and Bratton Kirkland; his brother, Ansel Brown Kirkland, Jr.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of James Bratton Kirkland to pay them a last tribute.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 30th 2023 at 3:00 PM at the Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel (503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina 29072).
