Joseph Kirkwood aka “Joe,” of Smithfield, transitioned from this life on May 20, 2020 at home. He passed from this life peacefully in his sleep. Joe was born September 14, 1933 to the late Andrew Jackson Kirkwood and Anna Mae Davis-Kirkwood in Kansas City, Kansas.

Joseph attended Douglass Elementary School, Northeast Junior High School, later on, graduated from Sumner High School in 1952.  After graduating High School and recently married he started working for Armour Packing Company, for 16 years before transferring to another Armour’s Plant in Worthington, Minnesota. He relocated to Smithfield, Virginia where he was recruited by Smithfield Packing Plant leadership to assume the Rendering Department Manager position.

He leaves to cherish his memory son Andre Kirkwood (Debbie Ford) of Virginia Beach, Va; five grandchildren, Eboni Kirkwood (Matt Jacobson) Apple Valley, MN; Audrey Jackson (James) Virginia Beach, Virginia; Avery Kirkwood (Jackee Lopez) Las Vegas, NV; Carlton Kirkwood (Tamara Dixson) San Mateo, CA and Marcus Kirkwood (Brandy Owen) Amarillo, TX; three sisters, Jacqueline A. Fletcher of Kansas City, KS, Gwendolyn M. Boyd, and Rose M. Jackson Lenexa, KS, twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held 2:00PM Friday, May 29, 2020 at Shivers Funeral Chapel. For more information please visit  www.shiversfuneralchapel.com.