Mother Betty J. Kirkland

Snellville, Georgia Mother Betty Jo Kirkland, 81, a devoted mother and pillar of her faith passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by family. Mother Betty Jo Kirkland was born August 28, 1944, in Statesboro, GA. She was the daughter of the late Robert & Lillie Mae Kirkland. She was preceded in death by her son, William (Will) Kirkland, her two brothers, Morris (Sonny) Kirkland and Bobby White, her two sisters, Carrie Elizabeth Kirkland and Eloise Burns and her great grandson Davion Spann. In 1990, Mother Betty Jo Kirkland gave her life to the Lord at True Born Church of Christ in Millen, Ga. Apostle Richard Walthour preached from John 3:16. Later, Mother Betty Jo Kirkland joined Mission Outreach under the leadership of Bishop V. Badie where she was an Evangelist, Sunday school teacher, Prayer Warrior, and in the Street and Prison ministries. In 2003, Mother Betty Jo Kirkland became a member of William Grove Church of God under the leadership of Superintendent K. Thomas and became the Mother of the church in 2006. In 2010, Mother Betty Jo Kirkland moved to Atlanta, Ga. where she later joined Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Daniel Ramey. Mother Betty Jo lived a life defined by unconditional love, profound patience, and unwavering advocacy for children. Known to many as simply "Mom or Mama Betty”, Mother Betty Jo opened both her home and arms to dozens of foster children over the course of years. Whether providing a safe harbor for a few weeks, childcare, or a forever home, she treated every child with the same boundless grace, making a lasting impact on countless lives. Mother Betty Jo was the owner of Little Angels Childcare in Statesboro, Ga for over 10 years. She is survived by two daughters, Shanda (Derrick) Heard, Snellville, GA and Jessica (Brandon) Mosley Savannah, GA; one son, Jonathan Kirkland, boston, Mass; one daughter in law, Melody Kirkland of Guyton, GA; one sister-in-law JoAnn Kirkland of Statesboro, GA; ten grandchildren, Unique Fontaine, Channel Reddick, Jaqua Kirkland, Christian Culbreth, TreVon Turner, William Kirkland, Landon Mosley, Jaydon Mosley, London Mosley, and Kaydon Mosley; four bonus grandchildren; VeDarrius (Abbe) Heard, KeMareai Heard, Cataleya Heard, & Mia Heard; ten great-grandchildren, Damon Cooper, Janell Cooper, Bralyn Reddick, Britain Anderson-Bush, Jacai Knight-Fontaine, Sincere Fontaine, Zoey Kirkland, Chayce Kirkland, & Josiah Kirkland; one bonus great-grandchild Bryleigh Heard; four god children Vickie Burns, Shawn Goodman, Antonia Ellis, and Savannah Beacham, a host, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Mother Kirkland will lie in state, on the day of service from 10 A.M. until the funeral hour. No viewing will be held after the eulogy. The funeral service for Mother Betty Jo Kirkland will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, July 3, 2026, in the Ben Samuel Hill Memorial Chapel of Hill's Mortuary, Inc. with the Supt. Thomas officiating. Burial will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026 at the Bulloch Memorial Gardens. Services may be viewed via live stream at our Hill’s Mortuary, Inc. Facebook page or on YouTube at C & C Photography Media. Final rites have been entrusted to Hill’s Mortuary, Inc.

Mother Betty J. Kirkland

August 28, 1944 - June 25, 2026