J.L. Kitchen

J.L. Kitchen was born on December 21, 1932, to the late Sylvester and Jennie B. Kitchen. He departed this life on October 14, 2022. He was the sixth child of nine siblings, seven of which have preceded him in death. He grew up in Cuthbert, GA, and was educated in the Randolph County school system. He moved to New York in 1961. In 1968 he married Vella Lewis, and they continued to live in New York for 29 years. J.L. was employed with Floymar for approximately 25 years until he and Vella moved to Decatur, GA, in 1994. In Georgia he worked at Kliklok for 10 years and then RAM Partners, until his retirement in 2012. He joined Mount Gilead Baptist Church at an early age. There he was an usher. After moving to New York, he joined South Hempstead Baptist Church and served as trustee for 31 years. After moving to Decatur, GA, he joined Greenforest Baptist Church in 1995. There he served as an usher until his death. Special memories will be cherished by his beloved wife, Vella Kitchen; son, Jonathan B. (Zezette) Hardwick; daughter, Teresa Vance; grandchildren, Nekia (Kelvin) Wade, Danielle Hardwick, and Lindsey Hardwick; great-grandchildren, Brandon Wade and Sydney Wade; also life to cherish his memory is his remaining sister, Mosie Lee Graddy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.