Donnie Ray “Papa” Kirkland, Sr., departed this life January 31, 2015.Visitation will be held at Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home on Monday, February 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery.The body will be placed in the church at 2:30 P.M. Mr. Kirkland was born in Swansea, SC, a son of the late Raymond Myers Kirkland and Lenora Poole Kirkland.He retired from Xerox in 1994 and enjoyed farming, traveling, camping, playing his music, and remained very active until his death.The majority of his time was spent with his wife, Becky of 51 years, his children, his son-in-law, and grandchildren.Family and friends were constantly surrounding him.He was a member of Ebenezer Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Berry Kirkland; children, Donnie Ray Kirkland, Jr. and Kimberly Kirkland Corley (Tommy), all of Swansea; Grandchildren, Alexandra Coggins Kirkland, Audrie Marie-Anne Corley, and Thomas Ray Corley all of Swansea; Sisters, Iris K. Carter (Neal McCarthy), and Sadie Kirkland Wannamaker of Swansea; Brothers,M. C. (Sarah E.) Kirkland of Aiken, and Harry C. Kirkland of Swansea. He was predeceased by a brother, James “Jimmy” Gerald Kirkland. In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted at Ebenezer Methodist Church, 2865 Highway 178, North 29112 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 110 Ministry Drive, Suite B, Irmo, SC 29063.