Bobby Ray Kitchens, 61, of Tifton went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, September 5, 2013. Mr. Kitchens passed away at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. His homegoing celebration will be Sunday, September 8, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. at Leila United Methodist Church in Omega. Rev. Frank Morris will officiate with burial to follow in Omega Cemetery. Josh Kailing, Lee Welch, Michael McFarland, Mikel McMillan, Mickey Jacobs and Steven Connell will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Julian Bennett, Wayne Branch, Mark Owens, Ernest Harris, Randall Webb and Tommy Jones. These pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were chosen from a multitude of Christian friends and family, who helped and supported Bobby during his battle with cancer. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 7, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mr. Kitchens will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Kitchens was born on December 19, 1951 in Colquitt County and was the son of Annie Laura Harrell Kitchens of Lenox and the late T. H. “Pete” Kitchens. He was a self-employed carpenter and a member of Leila United Methodist Church in Omega. He loved his Lord, his family, especially his grandchildren, who knew him as Dedad.
Mr. Kitchens is survived by his wife, Ellen Webb Kitchens of Tifton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kyle and Loretta Kitchens of Ty Ty and Cory and Kimberly Kitchens of Doerun; one daughter and son-in-law, Faith and Steve Connell of Omega; four sisters, Brenda Jacobs of Moultrie, Hilda Yelverton of Sparks, Peggy Roberts of Nashville and Cindy Kailing of Lenox; and seven grandchildren, Steven Connell, Tanner Connell, Cameron Connell, Raylee Kitchens, Abby Kitchens, Lilly Kitchens and Karlee Kitchens.