Alfred Eugene Kirkland Sr.

Alfred Eugene “Jack” Kirkland, Sr.

Alfred Eugene Kirkland, Sr. was born on January 18, 1949 in Williston, South Carolina to John W. and Lillie Mae Kirkland.  He was known to everyone as Jack.  He was named after his uncle, Alfred Eugene Abner. Jack was the fifth of eight children and was considered a Jack of all trades.  He graduated from Chester High school and went to Benedict College for one year.  He then joined the Merchant Marines, was in the Air Force and later returned to college at Cheyney University.  

He was truly a Jack of all trades.  He served as a police officer in Philadelphia, managed a Church’s Chicken, ran his own restaurant in Chester, headed up the Kitchen Ministry for Community Baptist Church and worked in the Post Office approximately 20 years until his retirement.

Jack has one biological son, Alfred Jr. He later remarried to Sara Desphy and became father to two more sons, Rick and Mark, one daughter, Lydia and numerous grands and great grands that he helped to raise.  He created a wealth of friends everywhere he went because he was friendly and loved to talk.  In college he joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Wine Psi Phi Greek organization.  He was also a Mason and a member of Chester Chapter Cheyney Alumni.

Jack was raised in the church and participated at Community Baptist until he moved to Philadelphia.  He reunited himself to the family church, Community Baptist and worked diligently in numerous organizations.  He was an integral part of the Missionaries, the Trustee Board, The Starks Male Chorus and later became an ordained Deacon.  He took this job seriously and went through the Firm Foundations program.  He also took classes from Manna Bible Institute and graduated this year in May with a diploma.  

As Jack’s health started to fail, he continually made an effort to come to church.  He attended the services the Sunday before he transitioned.  Jack was predeceased by his parents, Rev. John and Lillie Mae Kirkland, his oldest and youngest brothers, Willie and Anzer Kirkland, his stepdaughter, Lydia Reynolds and his nephew Wilbur J. Kirkland of Wilmington, DE.  He leaves to mourn his death his loving wife, Sara, his sons, Alfred Jr., Rick  and Mark Reynolds, his siblings, John Frank Kirkland, (Mary) of Hopkins, SC, Leola Williams of Chester, PA, Wilbur Kirkland (Elaine)  of Glenmore, PA, Charles Kirkland (Diane) of Columbia, SC, Thaddeus Kirkland (Susie) of Chester, PA, one remaining aunt, Julia Moore, two remaining sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, grands and great grands.  All will miss his gift of talk, the stories he shared and the food he always wanted to make sure everyone enjoyed.  

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