Sharilyn Janet Kitchens

Obituary For Sharilyn Janet Kitchens

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., Good Hope M.B. Church, 747 R.T. Bradley Road, Florence, MS 39073 with burial in Good Hope Church Cemetery, 747 R.T. Bradley Road, Florence, MS 39073.

On August 20, 2019 at 10:34 pm in Merit Central Hospital, Jackson, Mississippi, God called another one of his angels to transition to his heavenly home. She was surrounded by her caregiver/nieces and great niece as our Lord reached out His hand to follow Him.

Sharilyn Janet "Jimmie Lee" Kitchens was born on May 11, 1937 in Florence, Mississippi to the late O.C. and Ikie Mae Beverly Kitchens. She was the fourth child born to ten children. In addition to her parents, Sharilyn was proceeded in death by a baby brother, George soon after birth and one sister Ernestine Catchings.

Sharon, as we called her accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Florence, Mississippi. She attended Steep Bank School and later New Hope Vocational High School where she played basketball, was a cheerleader and sang in the school choir. Shortly after graduating high school in 1957, she moved to New York. She continued her love of singing and even sang back up for the Isley Brothers. Attending Adelphi University, she obtained a degree in nursing and practices for over forty years until her retirement. She was a faithful member of the Order of Eastern Star Martha Chapter #43 of Esther Grand Chapter of the State of New York from April 9, 1984 until she transitioned. She attended and worked as an usher at New Hope Institutional Baptist Church, Amityville, New York until returning home this past year, having lived in New York for a total of over sixty years.

She was a woman of principles, respect and was a pleasure to be around. She wanted the best for everyone that she came in contact with and had an abundance of love for people. Her passion was attending every family gathering or adventure. She and her sister Ruby cruised the world together for over fifty years. Sharon loved the road trips, even if it was just to the store.

Sharilyn never married and had no children. It never stopped her claiming every brother, sister niece, nephew and grand as her own. She had so much love to give and everyone around her embraced that love. We all knew that on our birthdays, we would receive a call from her singing, "Happy Birthday, Happy, Happy birthday to me". See, she celebrated ours with us and she never missed a birthday. This was the highlight of everyone's birthday.

Sharilyn leaves to cherish her memory, four faithful sisters: Macie Mouton of Delaware; Marie Morris of Shreveport, Louisiana; Cynthia Catchings of Amityville, New York; Ruby Kitchens Walker of Florence, Mississippi; three brothers: Robert Kitchens (Bobbie), James Kitchens (Versie) and Charles Kitchens (Wilma) all of Florence, Mississippi. There are also a host special nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends that held a special place in her heart. There were no big "I's" or little "U's", she loved everyone the same and never met a stranger.