Billie Cowart Kirksey

Billie Cowart Kirksey, 95, of Albany, GA died March 11, 2024 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.  Rev. Patrick Sebesta will officiate.  Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Kirksey was born on January 24, 1929 in Colquitt, GA to Stephen and Louella Tiner Cowart.  Her family moved to Panama City, FL, but returned to Colquitt where she grew up and graduated from Miller County High School in 1946. 

She married Gerald F. Kirksey and they resided in Moultrie, Tifton and finally to Albany, GA in 1984.  Mrs. Kirksey was employed with Belk’s Department Store for twenty-two years as a buyer and department head. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was a faithful member Sherwood Baptist Church where she was a member of The Agape Sunday School Class.  Mrs. Kirksey was an avid reader, a member of the Albany Garden Club and worked with the Albany Exchange Club assisting with the Annual Fair.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Kirksey and two brothers, Wayne and Jerry Cowart.

Survivors include her children, Elaine (Steve) Arich of Sylvester, GA and Stephanie Miller of Nashville, TN, a brother, Donald (Tootsie) Kirksey of Bainbridge, GA, a sister, Joanne (Harold) Frantz of Albany, GA, two sisters-in-law, Margarete Cowart of Hanceville, AL and Brenda Cowart of Leesburg, GA, her grandchildren, Stephen “Kirk” Kirksey (Sarah) Arich of Macon, GA and Lauren Miller (Trey) Bennett of McMinnville, TN and two great-grandchildren, Eleanor “Ellie” Bennett and Syndey Bennett.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm Thursday at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Mrs. Kirksey to Meet The Need c/o Sherwood Baptist Church, 2201 Whispering Pines Rd., Albany, GA 31707.