Olive Marie Kirkland

Olive Marie Bass Kirkland, 92, of Bowling Green, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Sebring. She was born on May 18, 1922 in Telogia, Florida and had been a 42 year resident of Hardee County, coming from Orlando. She was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and owned Granny's Citgo. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard C. Bass, Jr. and Charles E. Bass; and one sister, Alice L. Petersen. Left behind are two sons, William Frank Kirkland, Jr. of Bowling Green and Jefferson Lee Kirkland of Zolfo Springs; two brothers, Gene H. Bass of Havana, Florida and Kirby K. Bass of Tallahassee; five sisters, Catherine C. Bass of Wauchula, Nell Rhinehart of Thomasville, Georgia, Betty Westberry of Thomasville, Georgia, Betty June Koval of Whitehouse, Tennessee, and Joan C. Cox of Havana, Florida; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mama's gone home and we are happy for her. Even though we are missing her, there will be no more needles in her veins-over and over around the clock, no more tears, no more pain, suffering, or loneliness. We will miss her eyes lighting up in great joy when she went to church or was around her spiritual brothers and sisters, including the children, or when someone gave her something. She had some extraordinarily happy visits in her last few days from her spiritual family where she was wide-awake alert, sharp as a tack, all the pain disappeared, replaced by joyful smiles, laughter, and marvelous interactions, including hugs from church family, children, and everyone, including the staff at Hospice House in Sebring and her doctor. Words cannot express our thankfulness for Dr. Lee and all the staff at Florida Hospitals and Hardee Manor where Mama lived the last weeks of her transition from this world to a better place. We count the last few days as a special blessing due to the amazing support and care we received from Good Shepherd Hospice House Staff and Dr. Lee. They provided care that went beyond what we could have known to do, all the way till the end; then bathed and dressed Mama for us to have a final short visit. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 10-11 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Joey Taylor is officiating. Interment is in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Olive Marie Kirkland

May 18, 1922 - June 10, 2014