Grace Nadia Kirkpatrick

Grace Nadia Kirkpatrick (“Gracie”), of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024 at the age of 79.

Born on July 11, 1945, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Gracie was the eldest daughter of the late Everett Vann Kirkpatrick and Alma Lee (Kelley) Kirkpatrick.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University in 1968 and a Master of Arts from Presbyterian School of Christian Education (Seminary) in 1977.

Gracie was a home missionary with the bulk of her adult life spent at Camp Alkulana in the Allegheny Mountains and the beautiful George Washington Forest. Gracie began her work at Camp Alkulana in 1966 as a swim instructor and later as program director. In 1978, Gracie became the Camp Director. She provided leadership for the camp for the next thirty years. Gracie considered Camp Alkulana “a very definite calling” in her life, and said her purpose was “to help children to know that they are loved—by us, and even more so by God—and that they don’t have to be anything other than who they are to be loved.” She sought to create “a slice of heaven” for children and staff within the camp community and ended up finding her chosen family there too.

Gracie’s dedication and leadership left a clear mark on Camp Alkulana and on the missions work of the Richmond Baptist Association. She worked closely with local churches to cultivate a strong sense of shared purpose in serving families in the Richmond, VA area through the camp and community centers. She brought together churches and camp alums to lovingly tend to the camp’s historic buildings and grounds and raise funds to continue Camp Alkulana’s work. During her tenure, she also served on staff at the Hillside Baptist Center and the Oregon Hill Baptist Center.

Before Camp Director was a year-long position, Gracie was the choir director and youth director at Hanover Friends Evangelical Church for a decade. Whether at school, church, or camp, Gracie played a multitude of musical instruments to include the ukulele, banjo, piano, saxophone, and harmonica.

Gracie is the survivor of several sailing mishaps, two serious floods at Camp Alkulana, Hurricane Ian, a broken engagement/heart, and various aches and pains that came with being slightly over 39 years of age.

She loved to swim, kayak, sail, and delve into theological issues. She was convinced there is a boat dock in heaven and hoped to have a sailboat at that dock! Whether or not she is able to sail in heaven, she is ecstatic to now be in the presence of God and looking forward to this next stage of life.

Gracie is preceded in death by her parents, sister Anna Lee (Kirkpatrick) Klare, 4 dogs, 7 cats, 6 rabbits, 1 duck, and a turtle.

She is survived by her beloved nieces Kelly Klare and Kristy Klare; her nephews Kevin Klare and Brendan Klare (Jessica); her great-nephew Kaden; her great-nieces Alice and Lacey; her dear friend Joyce Fenimore; and a host of other friends and chosen family, many through the Alkulana connection.

Gracie claimed to be a lousy writer, but enjoyed writing much the more light-hearted portions of her own obituary you see here, in which she left parting words: “Fair winds, all! Take advantage of this life and remember: God loves you!”

A Florida Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 23, 11:00 AM at Movement Church, 20444 Midway Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33952.

A Virginia Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 11:00 AM at Richmond's First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

- Camp Alkulana: https://alkulana.org/

- Samaritan's Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online/

- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate