The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA  30512

www.nganews.com

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

November 21, 2007        Page 5C

julian b. kirkland

Julian b. Kirkland, born in Newville, AL on August 20, 1920, deceased in Hiawassee, GA on November 10th, 2007.  Julian left rural Alabama at sixteen years old moving to Tampa and marrying his wife of 67 years, Ruby Fay Turner.  His first job in Tampa was as a bellhop at Tampa Terrace Hotel.  Julian served in World War II as a Sargeant in the 42nd Quartermaster War Dog Platoon training and handling dogs to find land mines.  He was in France, Germany, and Belgium.  After the war he was a fuel oil jobber for J.H. Williams Oil Company and finished his working career as an insurance agent with Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company.  He was active in palm avenue Baptist and Palma Ceia Baptist Churches in Tampa and then at Crestview Baptist Church in Lakeland.  At Crestview Baptist, Julian served as a deacon and chairman of the building committee.

He was a lifelong Baptist.  He was a 32nd degree mason and a Shriner in Tampa.  The last two years of his life were spent enjoying family, the beautiful scenery in Hiawassee, GA and Atlanta Braves games on TV.  Two recent highlights in his life were a visit by a busload of friends from Crestview Baptist Church and a VFW ceremony for his due to his service in the war.

He is survived by wife Ruby Kirkland of Hiawassee, GA; sister Jean Hattaway of Hiawassee, GA; brother Don Kirkland of Sumter County, FL; daughter Donna Viduna and son-in-law, Rob Viduna of Hiawassee, GA; son Barclay Kirkland and daughter-in-law Margaret Kirkland of Bradenton, FL, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

There was a service honoring Julian Kirkland’s life at Crestview Baptist Church, 6949 Old Polk City Road, Lakeland, Florida 33809 on Thursday, November 15 at 10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crestview Baptist Church Building Fund.  

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA  30512

www.nganews.com

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

November 21, 2007        Page 5C

alma gibson

Mrs. Alma Gibson, age 88, of Young Harris, GA, passed away Friday, November 9, 2007 at Union General Hospital.  Mrs. Gibson was born Saturday, November 1, 1919 in Towns County, GA to the late Alfred Kuykendall and the late Maggie Henson Kuykendall.  She had worked at Young Harris College for many years before she and Walter opened Gibson’s Food and restaurant in Young Harris.  She was preceded in death by husband, Walter Gibson; son, Dean Gibson; daughter, Tresia Gibson; grandson, Russell Gibson; five brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include: son & daughter-in-law, Bill and Carolyn Gibson of Hiawassee, GA; son & daughter-in-law, Wayne and Ophelia Gibson of Lincolnton, GA; daughter & son-in-law, Margie and Larry Hooper of Young Harris, GA; son & daughter-in-law, Alvin and Cheryl Gibson of Gainesville, GA; sisters, Essie Hood of Young Harris, GA, Inez Townsend; twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 3 p.m. from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Rogers officiating.  Music was provided by Becky and Rodney Underwood, Kathy Dills and Rita Bradshaw.  Interment was in Old Union Baptist Church Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers: Jody Gibson, Darrin Hooper, Chad Gibson, mark Hooper, Jerome Burch and Thomas Kimsey.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, GA is in charge of arrangements.  You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.