John Paul Kitchens Legacy Statement
A Christian cornerstone, John Paul Kitchens Sr., age 84, was reunited with Jesus in Heaven on May 11, 2026. John Paul was a devoted servant and leader of Christ, husband, father, and Poppie. He served as pastor of Covin Baptist Church for over 20 years. Alongside his wife, Barbara, they grew the Kingdom of Heaven for over 65 years, serving as pastor to numerous congregations and ministering to people across the southeast, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. He also retired from Lamar County Head Start, where he was a school bus driver for over twenty years. He was a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Howard (Samford) University, and Lamar County High School.
John Paul had a passion for cars that grew working alongside his father as a mechanic. He was a profound orator and storyteller, where he often captivated an audience with tales from his family, youth, and ministry, including a time where he danced on national television. He loved his wife most ardently, and never failed to tell her she was beautiful. He was an inventor, a published poet, and loved a celebration, especially if it had cake, cookies, and ice cream.
His love for Jesus Christ and people are the foundation of his family, ministry, and legacy.
He baptized each of his children and all of his grandchildren; his greatest treasure. John Paul lived his faith and testimony, walking amongst angels and personifying Christian forgiveness. He met every person with a smile and a great big, boisterous laugh. His love and humor will continue to live through his family, friends, and the many people he led to Christ.
John Paul is survived by his sister Kathy Kitchens, his children Rhonda Mordecai, John Paul Kitchens Jr. (Michelle), Karen Easterling (Kenyon), and a host of grandchildren whom he was most proud of: Chance Mordecai (Luiza), Chandler Mordecai, Crawford Easterling, Campbell Easterling, Mary Elizabeth Dial (Brian), Victoria Ferguson, and Jon Alex Kitchens.
He was most joyously welcomed in Heaven by his wife, Barbara Kitchens, his parents Raye and Hershel Kitchens, his brothers William Thaxton, Clyde, James Robert, and Sonny Kitchens, his father and mother-in-law Andrew and Marie Flynn, his sister-in-law Betty Flynn, and a host of congregation members whom he cared for deeply.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 2:00 p.m at Covin Baptist Church, 432 Woodland Hills Circle Fayette, AL 35555. The family requests attendees wear bright colors to honor John Paul’s vibrant spirit and personality. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Winfield Public Library, P.O. Box 1527, Winfield, AL 35594, or to Covin Baptist Church to honor his legacy of faith.
