Tommie Lee Kirkland

Tommie Lee Kirkland was born on June 6, 1960, to the late James Louis and Elaine Bush Kirkland in New Orleans, LA. He departed his earthly life on May 16, 2023, unexpectedly.

Tommie graduated from L.B. Landry High School in New Orleans and attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. During his school years, he enjoyed participating in sports and excelled in the games, especially football where he wore the Number 33. He loved telling of his experience playing at the Super Dome in New Orleans. Although he hasn’t lived in New Orleans for over 30 years, his legacy is still known in his neighborhood, Algiers Parish.

When he moved to Durham, NC in 1990, he joined Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church. He held various job positions at South Chem and Qualex in Durham. Tommie enjoyed cooking and had promised many that he would come over and cook something.

There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they are gone, the light remains. “Tommie Lee” as he was affectionately called by his family and friends and “T-Bone” as he sometimes called himself, was a vibrant man who never met a stranger. Before the end of a conversation with him, he would have you laughing about something, even if it was unintentional. The memory of Tommie is a great treasure, and we will hold them in our hearts forever. He had many catch phrases, but he is now living with the “rich and famous”.

Family meant a lot to Tommie, and he enjoyed the time his family was together in November. Tommie leaves to cherish his memories: sons Tommie Batiste (wife Jowana), Houston, TX, Terrence Batiste, New Orleans, LA. Jerron Kirkland, Durham, NC, and Mario Paylor (wife Becca), Monroe, NC; daughter Nikki Fuller (husband Anthony), Bahama, NC; grandchildren, Addi-Rose Batiste, Rachel Fuller, Aubrie Fuller, Taylor Fuller and Evan Paylor; two sisters, Sonya Kirkland, Atlanta, GA and Shan Kirkland, Durham, NC; three brothers, Keith Kirkland, Fort Worth, TX; Larry Kirkland, Durham, NC and Carlo Kirkland, Los Angeles, CA; nephews Brad Joseph (wife Mary), Larry C. Smith, Larry Kirkland Jr., Keith Kirkland, Jr., Taylor Kirkland, Jordan Moseley; Josiah Joseph, Amir Deloach and Justin Paylor; nieces, Christy Kirkland, Danielle Mack, Tamera Roberts, Kyla McCluney, Josalin Joseph, Jamia Moses and Radell Moses; special friend Gloria Lindsay; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives and friends, “bip”

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal."

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you can not understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

    Ecclesiastes 11:5

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