Dana Jo Kirkland
August 21, 1946 ~ March 19, 2024
Born in:
Center, Texas
Resided in:
Granbury, Texas
Graveside services for Ms. Dana Jo Kirkland, age 77, formerly of Linden, Texas, will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Corinth Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden. There will be a time of visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Dana Jo Kirkland, age 77, passed away in Granbury, TX on March 19, 2024. She was born in Shelby County, TX on August 21, 1946 to parents Charles and Marye Crawford. Dana was preceded in death by her father and mother and husband, Winston Earl Kirkland, to whom she was married 27 years.
She is survived by her brothers; Floyd Crawford and wife Nancy Daley, Brian Crawford and wife Laura; first cousins Jack Barrington, Joe Barrington and Janice Mabry; and several steps-sons, step-daughters and step-grandchildren.
Dana graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1964. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1970 from Stephen F. Austin State University. She started her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in Garwood, TX, where she taught for 5 years. From Garwood, she moved to Cleveland, TX and taught for another 10 years. While in Cleveland, she earned a Master’s degree in education with a reading specialist certification. After her marriage to Winston in 1984, Dana moved to Winston’s hometown of Linden, TX where she continued her teaching career as a Reading Specialist until May 2006. Dana retired after 36 years of teaching in the classroom. Dana was honored by being inducted into Who’s Who Among American Teachers and was a lifetime member of Delta Kappa Gamma educator’s sorority.
Dana touched the lives of scores of children and made a positive impact on them as evidenced by the former students who have kept in touch with her through the years.
After retiring, Dana and Winston enjoyed the country life in Cass County, TX for many years. She and Winston were faithful members of the Linden Church of Christ.
Upon Winston’s death in 2011, Dana moved to Bedford, TX and lived with and cared for her elderly mother until her death in 2015. Dana continued to live in Bedford until 2021 when she moved to Granbury, TX where she lived until her death.
Dana will be interred beside her husband Winston at the Corinth Cemetery, Cass County, TX.
Services
Visitation: March 24, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home - Linden
202 N. Main
Linden, Texas 75563
Robyn Phillips one of her Linden Kildare Junior High students. She was my 7th grade reading teacher. She was a wonderful person and teacher. I learned so much from her. She was there for me when a tragedy happened in my family. My deepest condolences sending love and prayers to her family.
You’ve outdone yourself with this one!
Sending lots of prayers up to her family and friends! She will be truly missed! She will be remembered as an amazing teacher and great friend! RIP 🙏❤️
She will be missed by so many. My prayers are with her family and friends. She was a wonderful teacher and I truly enjoyed having her as mine.
She was a beautiful lady inside and out.I looked forward to seeing her each week.I will always love her.RIP Dana
We will miss her so much. This was my sister from another mother. Love you always and forever!❤️❤️
Sister from another mister. I’ll miss her too. She was a joy to b around. Miss u Dana
She was a wonderful woman with a big caring loving heart who loved and cared about all of her students. She will be truly missed. She encouraged all of her students to be something great in this world. She always encouraged us to never give up on our dreams. She always had a beautiful smile on her face every single day and she always knew just what to say to you when you were sad, down or just having a hard time.
There are not enough words to describe what a wonderful person Mrs. Kirkland was…she was one of a kind for sure!!! An amazing, loving teacher who sincerely cared for all of her students. So many great memories with her and not only did she touch my life and hundreds of other students but also my son who loved her so much!! We all will miss her much!! May God lift the family up and wrap his loving arms around them during this time and all the days to follow. Love you much, RIL Momma K 💕❤️
Mrs. Kirkland you will be missed. I am so grateful to have had you as a teacher and a great friend. Thank you for always checking on Marcus and I and making sure we took good care of ourselves. I was so happy to know that you had my niece working at your apartment complex. I love you! RIL🕊️💜💙🙏🏾
Dana and I have been friends for forty-five years. She was a special lady with a big heart. She loved her family, her church, her students and everyone she came in contact with. She will be greatly missed by all. Love, hugs and many prayers prayers to her family and friends.
ERNEST Flippo-James Homer Kirkland’s Half Brother: Praying for the family. So sorry to hear of Jo’s passing
So sorry for your loss Brian Laura and Floyd.
I wish I could have been there for her celebration of life and although I wasn’t able to send flowers I think of lovely pink blossoms when I remember Dana. She was pleasant and encouraging each time I visited with her through the years.
I am very sorry that l was not able to attend this service. Dana was my stepmother and a wonderful lady. She had a big heart and it showed with how she chose to live her life.
I will miss her!