Wilma Dee Kennedy

Wilma Dee Kennedy, age 93, passed away June 1, 2016. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road with an Eastern Star service. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, per Mrs. Kennedy’s request, be made to her great-granddaughter to help continuing her fight against cancer, Paige Kennedy Hankins, c/o Jennifer Kennedy, UMB Bank, 20652 W. 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061.

She was born April 8, 1923 in Jerico Springs, Missouri, daughter of Amy and George Perry. She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1942 and attended college in Bolivar and Springfield, Missouri, going on to teach in country schools near Lamar and Walker, Missouri.

Dee married Denver Dean Kennedy in Fort Scott, Kansas, July 6, 1944 and lived a short time in Colorado, Utah and California, but most of her life in the Kansas City area. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Grandview. In May 1979 Dee became a member of Grandview 365 Order of the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron with her husband in 1988, appointed as District Deputy Grand Matron of the 59th District in 1991. She served as Grand Representative of New Mexico in Missouri in 1992 and 1993; was a member of the Heartland and State Grand Representatives Clubs and the Fifty-Niners and served as secretary of the chapter for 17 years. Wilma also volunteered at the Blue River Care Center for four years.

A very special part of her life were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Eastern Star family, and beauty shop girls. She loved making cookies, quilts and gingham checked dolls and anything she could do for others.

Dee is survived by four children: daughters Geri Davis and husband Charles, Las Vegas, Nevada and Judy Dey, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, sons David Kennedy and wife Desiree, Kansas City, Missouri and Kent Kennedy and wife Carol, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; sister-in-law Billie Perry, Anaheim, California; sisters Norma Houghtaling and husband, Bob, Nixa, Missouri and Naomi Hopkins, Owasso, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Karen Moreno and husband Xavier, Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren Lisa Davis, Kirsten Kennedy Brewer (Ryan), Shelley Dey Cantrell (Billy), Rocky Kennedy, Jessica Kennedy Hickman (Chris), Jennifer Kennedy, Daniel Kennedy, Steven Dey, Kyleigh Kennedy and Kendall Kennedy; and great-grandchildren Devin Davis, Logan Hickman, Zachary Cantrell, Dakota Dey, Daren Davis, Brooklyn Cantrell, Paige Kennedy Hankins and Anderson Brewer. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Denver Dean Kennedy, son Ronnie Kennedy, granddaughter Kendra Dey, great-grandson Dylan Hickman, sister Rosalie Long and brother Leland Perry.

Dee’s family would like to send a special thank you and love to Rosemary Mitchell for being a wonderful best friend to Dee and her daughter. She never missed a day calling at 6:00 p.m. for years. Mom always said, “ I always knew my day would be Young and Restless, reading books, doing word search and my call from Rosie no matter what else.”

A special thank you to Crossroads Hospice for making Mom’s last days enjoyable and giving her such great care, and the compassion to our family. And her special gift of the day, birthday party, she never stopped talking about.

Special thank you to Larry for all his love toward my Mom and helping me take care of her in our home. She loved your joking with her so much. Remembering hospital stays she would miss you saying “What’s going on in here,” in your deep voice and anytime we left you would, “No parties,” she just got such a kick out of you kidding her. It was always, “How’s our guy today,” after you would call. Thank you for all your love and support always. Judy

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.