Mrs. Joyce Kirkland Kennamer

March 1, 1933 - January 13, 2022

Joyce Dean (Kirkland) Kennamer passed away on January 13, 2022 at 88 years of age. She was born March 1, 1933 in Grant, Alabama to parents John and Dora Kirkland. She graduated from high school at D.A.R. in Grant, Alabama, then received her B.S. in Education at Athens State University and her M.S. at Alabama A&M University. She taught Science, Biology, and Chemistry to hundreds of students at Woodville High School during her 31 years of active teaching. Her love for students was readily evident with her engaging and thought-provoking teaching style. In the decades that followed her teaching career, it was commonplace for family members to have her past students ask about her and remark about how they loved her and the impact she had upon their lives. During her teaching years, she worked tirelessly supporting school, athletic, and civic activities. Her drive to help others continued in her retirement years as she worked persistently at places like the Bob Jones community center to document and improve sites located in Woodville, Alabama. On May 24, 1952 she married her childhood sweetheart, Denton M "Johnny" Kennamer. They had two sons, Johnny M. Kennamer and Steve A. (Cheryl) Kennamer . Six grandchildren: Adam (April) Kennamer, Melanie (Roger) Allen, Chris (Jennifer) Kennamer, Valerie (Chris) Daly, Stephanie (Heath) Stapler and Janice (Kevin) Willis. Eleven great-grandchildren: Ava Kennamer, Chloe Allen, Colby Allen, Denton Kennamer, Clayton Kennamer, Levi Howse, Easton Howse, Phoenix League, Trinity League, Zaiden Daly and Willow Daly. She was one of nine children born to John and Dora Kirkland, with brothers J.W Kirkland and Sam (Margaret Ann) Kirkland still living. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Gordon Kirkland, Porter Kirkland and Jack Kirkland; and three sisters, Ruby Kirkland Lonas, Pauline "Polly" Kirkland Wagle and Sue Kirkland Tredwell. In addition to her love for teaching, she enjoyed gardening, canning, and working in her flower beds. She was a strong lady and very hard worker. For about a decade she and her husband, Johnny along with her two boys spent their weekends camping. She would prepare and pack all the needed camping items including getting the boat prepared, so that the family could depart immediately when Johnny got home from work. There was no task too large, if something needed done, she jumped in and completed it immediately without hesitation. While her siblings would know her as Joyce Dean, and her students as Mrs. Kennamer, so many friends and family affectionately called her “granny” and look forward to seeing her again after this life. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Grant Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery in Woodville. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until service at 2 p.m. Arrangements Entrusted to Grant Memorial Chapel