She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. On April 1, 1928, she was the 8th child out of 10, born to John Lawton and Martha (Peterson) Durden.
She spent the majority of her childhood in New Orleans, LA where she was raised by her mothers sister, “Aunt Mary”. As a young adult, Lemmie moved to Green Cove Springs, FL where she raised her 5 children: Danny Kirkland (D), Andrea Christie, Mack Kirkland (D), Lem Kirkland, and Rebecca Kirkland Padgett. Lemmie worked various jobs throughout her adulthood, to include: driving a school bus, working in a hosiery factory, and head housekeeper for Holiday Inn in Orange Park, FL. On October 20 1973, she married the love of her life, Royce Daugherty (D). Together, they spent (15) wonderful years marriage traveling, camping and entertaining for her family and friends. Lemmie was never one for being still. She loved staying busy by immersing herself in various clubs and charities in Clay County, FL to include: Middleburg Historical Society, Middleburg Garden Club, The Gourmet Girls, The Bunco Girls, and volunteering at the Clay County Fair in Old Florida. You wouldn’t be around her long before she would share her love of Christ and her strong belief in faith and prayer. She was a faithful member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, helped prepare meals after services and lended a helpful hand when needed. Of all the things Lemmie was known for, she was known best for her southern style cooking, quick wit, making you laugh at her many jokes, her competitive spirit when it came to family game time, her stories and most of all, the way she loved each and every person she met. This year, she was honored by the Clay County Fair Board of Directors and staff as the Oldest Volunteer for her dedication and many years of service. She was awarded a plaque and opened the fair by cutting the ribbon during the fairs opening ceremony.
Lemmie was preceded in death by her husband, Royce Daugherty, son, Danny Kirkland, son, Mack Kirkland, grandson, John Wayne Kirkland, great-grandson, Cid Kirkland, Daughter-in-law, Evelyn Kirkland, her 5 brothers and 3 sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Christie, son, Lem Kirkland, and daughter, Rebecca (Irving) Padgett, daughter-in-law, Jeannie Kirkland, grandson, Stacey Christie, grandson, Tony (Jennifer) Lagman, Justin (Kelly) Kirkland, Sarah (Mitchell) Bagley, Mackenzie (Johnathan) Stone, Rachel (Cody) Mathews, Chase Kirkland, Casey Kirkland, Savannah Kirkland, and Lemmy Kirkland and 8 great-grandchildren, Connor, Gracelyn, Colton, Brently, Addie, Mack, Dakota and Reese.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service on Thursday, May 11th. The viewing will take place at 10:00 am, immediately followed by services at 11:00 am, at Oak Grove Baptist Church: 3645 County Road 215, Middleburg, FL 32068
