Letory Kirkwood

Letory, “LT” was born on October 13,1923, to the late Nelson and Lemon Kirkwood in Calico Bottoms, West Helena, Arkansas. She was the first born of 18 children. As the first-born child, she was the apple of Nelson’s eye. She was raised on the family farm in Calico Bottoms where she worked the family’s farmland with her other siblings and their parents. She received her formal education within the Helena Public School District. She was baptized at St. Mary’s Lake. After her baptism, she united with Pleasant Joy Missionary Baptist Church. Sharing her a gift of singing, she joined the choir. There she met Leonard Kelley and after a short courtship, they married on October 30, 1944. Letory and Leonard were blessed with seven children: Ozzie, Melvin, Edna, Samuel, Lee, Nelson, and Vernita. They remained married until the death of Leonard in 1956. After the death of Leonard, Letory assumed the responsibility as the sole provider for her children and was a great at it. She made many sacrifices for them. Affectionately known as “LT,” she was blessed to meet James “J.W.” Willie Bryant. They united in Holy Matrimony and from that union was born Barbra, “Bobbie Jean.” She received a blessing to have another child, Karen. She later joined First Missionary Baptist Church where she sang alto in the choir. She especially loved Sunday School more than anything and was a faithful attendee. During her life, LT held several jobs. She worked at Doughboy for many years. Then, she worked at Helena Chemical Plant, McKnight Plywood Company from which she retired. After her retirement, she gardened and traveled. Visiting her children, siblings, and other family members in Texas, California, Missouri, and Tennessee. LT enjoyed cooking Sunday dinner and loved having her grandchildren, Danielle, Chris, and Cameron over for dinner. She had a passion for reading that expanded to her Sunday School lessons, doing crossword puzzles, reading the Helena World and Commercial Appeal from cover to cover. LT transitioned from this earthly life at Baptist Health Medical Center - North Little Rock on January 10, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents; Nelson and Lemon Kirkwood, her siblings; Sammie, David, Frank, Volga, Roosevelt, Larry, Rachel, Glenn, Maxine, her children; Ozzie, Samuel, Lee, and Karen (Ryan-Living). She leaves to mourn her memory her children; Melvin (Linda), Edna (Terdell-Deceased), Nelson, Vernita (A.J.), Barbara, her brothers; Charles (Estelle) Kirkwood, Rufus Kirkwood, Leroy Kirkwood, her sisters; Vernice Kirkwood Kirsey, Juanita Kirkwood, LeeAnna Kirkwood, her grandchildren; Dee Dee, Casey, Cassandra, Taylor, Treecie, Andrea, Ashley, Keadrick, Kevin, Danielle, Chris, Cameron, a special friend Mrs. Melvina Neal with whom she talked to on the phone every day, and a host of great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins.