Rev. James A. Kitchens

Rev. James A. Kitchens, 92, of Whitehouse, Texas, died Friday, February 12, 2021 at the Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas.  Rev. Kitchens was a native of Hamburg; a 1945 graduate of Hamburg High School and a Veteran of the United States Air Force, having served from 1950 to 1954. Rev. Kitchens surrendered to the ministry in June, 1959 and attended the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Bible Languages, and the Oklahoma Missionary Baptist Seminary, receiving a degree in Theology.  He pastored six churches, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Birta, Arkansas, Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas, Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sharon Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas, Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Idabel, Oklahoma and Austin Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Dekalb, Texas.  He retired from pastoring in January 2000, at age 71 and continued to preach as a fill-in preacher for 10 years or more and teaching a Sunday School Class at Calvary Church in Idabel, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Kitchens Ginn in 2015; his parents, Claude L. & Elizabeth Johnson Kitchens; his sister, Hazel Kitchens Maxwell; his brother, Harold Kitchens and his sister-in-law, Sherri Morris Kitchens.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Katie Williams Kitchens; his son, Mike Kitchens and wife, Paula, all of Whitehouse, Texas; his son-in-law, John Ginn of Idabel, Oklahoma, six grandchildren, Matt Ginn and wife, Leann, of Portland Oregon, Micah Ginn of Moore, Oklahoma, Katelyn Ginn and Jessie Gliddens both of Paris, Texas, Jacob Kitchens and Marin Kitchens both of Cedarville, Ohio, Autumn Kitchens of Scottsdale, Arizona, Emily Krall and Aaron Krall both of Whitehouse, Texas and five great grandchildren, Tessa Gliddens, Raelyn Henson,  Harper Krall, Finley Krall and Caroline Krall.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Saturday, February 20, 2021 in the Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. W. A. Dillard and Rev. Doug Clements officiating.  A private burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery.

Visitation will be 1:45 – 2 p.m., Saturday in the funeral home chapel.

Seating will be limited and everyone in attendance will be required to wear a mask.

Please visit the Tribute Wall to leave a message, share a memory or send your condolences to the family.  

The service can be viewed via live stream at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 20, 2021.

If you would like to remotely attend this service, click on the link below to go to the Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/joneshartshorn.funeralhome

The video of the service will be available for viewing for five (5) days only, after the video has been posted.

Due to the recent health concerns of Covid-19 and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control, it has become necessary to practice social distancing. We ask that you please refrain from handshakes, and hugs. Our top priority is the safety of the families we serve, as well as our staff and others in our community. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

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