Jerry L. Kitchings

Dr. Jerry L. Kitchings, 69, of Cleveland passed away peacefully at his home on April 7, 2018, surrounded by his loved ones. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 9, 2018, at Ray Funeral Home. A Second Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Cleveland. Celebration of Life Service will follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Dave Granville and Rev. Milton Burd officiating. Interment will be in North Cleveland Cemetery.
Jerry was born on December 15, 1948, in Lena, MS. Dr. Kitchings received a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Delta State College in 1971. He received a Master of Education Degree from Delta State College in 1973. He went on to receive an Educational Specialist Degree in 1976 from Delta State University. While at Delta State, Jerry was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society. In 1988, Jerry graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Doctorate of Education.
He began his career in education with the Cleveland School District as a Media Specialist in 1971. In 1974, he was appointed principal of Parks Elementary School where he served for 17 years. In 1991, the Hayes Cooper Center for Math, Science and Technology opened its doors under his leadership and direction until 1994. At this time, he was appointed Associate Superintendent of Cleveland School District in a position he held until his retirement in 2004.
Dr. Kitchings loved to watch his grandchildren play ball, cheer at sporting events, participate in Beauty Reviews and host Halloween Carnivals for the grandchildren and their friends. He was a very proud and devoted grandfather. An avid sportsman, Jerry loved to hunt, fish, play golf, and enjoyed the outdoors at his hunting camp. Jerry had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his friends, but most of all with Tresa and his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Baskin Kitchings and Eldro Johnson Kitchings.
Jerry leaves behind his loving wife of 12 years, Tresa Powell Kitchings; son, Todd Kitchings (Kristy); grandson, Tyler Kitchings; granddaughter, Madison Kitchings all of Shaw, MS; step- sons, Jeffrey Fioranelli (Tricia), Philip Fioranelli (Candice), and Joseph Fioranelli (Mason); granddaughters, Ella, Mary Michael, Caroline, and Kate Fioranelli; grandsons, Hudson Williams and Powell Fioranelli all of Cleveland, MS; siblings, William Kitchings (Linda), Braxton Kitchings of Cathage, MS, and Joy Kitchings Tadlock of Walker, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Donny Whitten, Mike Waldrop, Lynn Hardin, Whitt Whitten, E.G. Warren, James Allen Herbison, Bobby Mullen and Tommy Waldrup. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the TopAttala Hunting Club.
Memorials can also be made to the Dr Jerry Kitchings Teacher Education Memorial Scholarship at Delta State University PO Box 3141 Cleveland, MS 38733 or go to www.deltastategiving.org

Visitation

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, April 9, 2018
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Visitation

10:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Cleveland First Baptist Church Cleveland Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celebration of Life Service

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Cleveland First Baptist Church Cleveland Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Tuesday, April 10, 2018
North Cleveland Cemetery. N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States