Milledgeville - Mr. John Lewis Kitchens, 87, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Funeral services will be con-ducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Thomas and Scott Hudson officiating. Interment will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2026, in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, from 1 p.m. until the service hour.

Mr. Kitchens was a native of Coopers and lived in Baldwin County all of his life. He was the son of the late Eloise Moore and Marion Dudley Kitchens and preceded in death by his in-laws, Bernice and Charlie Meridth; son, Jonathan Brookins; sister, Linda Schultheiss; brother-in-law, Ricky Meridth (Kate). He retired from Central State Hospital after 28 years, taught graphic design at YDC, and woodworking at NDI where he also served as principal. He was a re-tired veteran of the Army National Guard with more than 23 years of service, a member of Gordon Masonic Lodge and had attended Freedom Church.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia ""Shan"" Kitchens of Gordon; daughter, Christina Ann Ritzema (Justin) of Richmond Hill; daughter-in-law, Michelle Brookins of Milledgeville; siblings, Marion Kitchens Jr. (Judy) of Summerduck, Va.; sister-in-law, Nancy Thomas (Dan) of Minnesota; brother-in-law, Richard Schultheiss of Maryland; sister-in-law, Renee Gant (Chuck) of Tennessee; grandchildren, Corey Brookins, Lily Ritzema and Rider Ritzema; his beloved dog, Raider; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Freedom Church, 500 Underwood Road, Milledgeville, GA 31061.

Express online condolences at www.williamsfuneral.net

Williams Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.