Ouida Fleming Kennedy

Ouida Fleming Kennedy, age 91, died peacefully on December16, 2016 at Wexford House in Kingsport, TN. She was born November 19, 1925 in Flemingtown, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Pat Kennedy, her oldest son Ron Kennedy, her mother Opal Mullins, and sisters Billie Bochat and Maxine Rose.

After graduation from Dickenson Memorial High School, she worked at the FBI in Washington, DC during the war with her cousins Trula June and Kathleen. What an adventure for three girls from southwest Virginia! In 1944, Ouida married her childhood sweetheart, Pat Kennedy, while he was on leave from the war. They moved from Clintwood to Kingsport in 1948 where Pat owned several service stations before retiring from Kennedy’s Auto Center on Center Street.

Ouida did bookkeeping for their business, ran the household, was a den mother for Cub Scouts, a homeroom mother, and taught Sunday School at Fort Robinson Baptist Church where she was a member for over 50 years. But what she loved most was caring for her family. She was the ultimate wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Pat both worked hard to raise and provide for their family, but always made time for Sunday drives with stops at roadside picnic tables, glorious days at the lake on the houseboat, and family reunions where she enjoyed visiting with our large extended family, and she treasured each and every one of them.

Ouida is survived by her brother, B.J. Mullins and his wife Vivian; sons, Roger Kennedy and wife Diane, John Kennedy and wife Sherry; and daughter Lisa Kennedy. She will also be remembered by her beloved grandchildren John Kennedy and wife Kristina, Patrick Kennedy and wife Sara, Justin Kennedy and wife Donna, Eric Kennedy and wife Rachael, Kristie and husband Kevin Hentzell, Wendy Apodaca, and Ouida Fedele. Great-grandchildren include Taylor and Lottie Kennedy, Porter and Mia Kennedy, Londyn Kennedy, Zack, Coty, and Coral Hentzell, and Carissa and Calista Winsler. There are dozens of other family members too numerous to mention, but she loved each of them dearly.

Family will receive friends Monday, December 19, 2016 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport, Tennessee. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 pm with Pastor Don McCann officiating. Graveside will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to any worthy charity of your choice. Please visit our website at www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence to the Kennedy family. East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ouida Kennedy family.